Lorna A. Montzka, 84
Buffalo – Lorna Ann (Shirk) Montzka, age 84, of Buffalo, passed away on Oct. 16, 2022.
She was born on Sept. 13, 1938 in Albert Lea; the daughter of Merle and Geneva (Hanson) Shirk.
Lorna grew up on the Shirk family farm and in the nearby town of Bricelyn, graduating from high school there in 1956. She attended Mankato State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics and Science Education. Soon after, she continued her studies by completing a Master’s degree at Colorado State College in Greeley.
In 1959 Lorna began her career as an educator in Kimball where she met fellow high school teacher Carl Montzka. They were joined in marriage in Bricelyn in 1960. Their teaching careers continued together in Kimball before taking them to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, Blue Earth and Detroit Lakes. In 1967, they returned to Blue Earth and made it their home for the next 20 years.
In December 1967, Lorna sustained life-threatening injuries in a devastating auto accident while returning home from work, and it would leave her with serious physical challenges for the rest of her life. But after many months of hospitalization and grueling physical therapy, her determination and perseverance enabled her to walk again and return to many of the activities she loved most.
After recovering, Lorna left teaching to focus on her family at first, but she soon found new ways to continue serving as an educator and contributor to the community. She began to share her knowledge and love of sewing, knitting and Scandinavian needlepoint first with family and friends, and then in community education classes. A person of strong faith throughout her life, Lorna remained very active in the United Methodist Church and would eventually serve in several leadership roles.
Lorna also devoted her leadership and communications skills to community programs. She served on both the local Human Services board and the Region 9 Development Commission, with much of her work centered on improving the lives of those in need around her. She also chaired the Blue Earth Public Library Board that was responsible for the design, relocation and construction of a new library which continues to serve Faribault County capably almost 50 years after its completion.
Eventually Lorna returned to teaching professionally after she and Carl moved in 1987 to Buffalo, where she taught Adult Living Skills for special needs students at Wright Technical Center part-time before retiring in 1995. After Carl’s retirement from school administration in 1998, the couple spent winters in Mesa, Arizona where they were blessed with new friendships and new chances to serve others. Lorna helped organize an online card crafting group which became so close-knit that they traveled from around the US and Canada to meet in person on several occasions in Mesa. She also shared her self-taught computer literacy by organizing and leading computer crafts and iPad groups to help her fellow Leisure World senior residents use technology more easily in their daily lives.
Lorna found joy in other activities outside of service to her community. She loved both reading and writing, and spent much of her later years immersed both in countless books and in correspondence and conversation with friends and loved ones. She and Carl together enjoyed spoiling their granddaughter June and beloved chihuahua Ginger, and rooting for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Lorna lived her life with relentless determination infused with a humor and grace that made her an inspiration to others, and a source of joy to those closest to her.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Geneva Shirk.
Lorna is survived by her husband, Carl; son, Jeff; granddaughter, June; sisters, Kathy Keever and Karen (Jim) Hoffman; aunt, Julienne Tesarek; nephews, Mark and Michael Johnson, Chris and Ben Hoffman; niece, Julie (Mark) Sahr; and many other relatives and friends.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. at Buffalo United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com