Lorentz Koagedal

Lorentz Koagedal, a devoted father, loving grandfather, successful businessman, and the first to carry his family name, passed away peacefully at the age of 85. His life was defined by faith, curiosity, craftsmanship, and the courage to leave the familiar in pursuit of new horizons. Lorentz’s remarkable journey took him from a small farming village in northern Sweden to a richly lived life in Northern California. Born Bengt Lorentz André Karlsson on May 22, 1940, in Ersmark, Sweden, he was the second son of Sven and Göta Karlsson. Raised in the Kåge River valley, Lorentz was shaped by a loving, devoutly Christian home, and the steady discipline of farm life. His adventurous spirit revealed itself early; at just seventeen, he left home to sail the “big blue seas” as a merchant seaman, an experience that broadened his worldview and planted the seed for a life beyond Ersmark. Lorentz’s life changed profoundly when he met Gunborg Linnea Larsson. In an act of poetic reinvention just weeks before their wedding, he petitioned the Swedish government to adopt a new surname: Koagedal, inspired by the Kåge River valley (Kågedalen) of their youth. With that decision, Lorentz became the first Koagedal in the world, followed by Linnea, their children, and eventually his brothers Lennart, Bertil, Sören, sister Eva, and their descendants.

Today, the Koagedal/Kågedal name is shared by 48 members of a growing clan—a legacy born of intention, pride, and imagination. In 1964, drawn by what Lorentz described as a “warm and wonderful climate” and the promise of opportunity, Lorentz, Linnea, and their infant son Urban emigrated to the United States. Arriving on his 24th birthday, they settled in Petaluma, California, near Lorentz’s cherished “adopted Grandma,” Moster Olga. Lorentz embraced his new country fully, transitioning from his early work as a “furrier” into a successful career in finance. He spent many years with Wells Fargo Bank and later served as Chief Financial Officer of Headlands Mortgage Company. In 1973, Lorentz, Linnea, and Urban proudly became U.S. citizens. Although Lorentz and Linnea dissolved their marriage in 1984, they remained close friends throughout their lives. Lorentz later found love again with his life partner Bonnie Jackson, whom he married in 1992, and with whom he shared many happy years and a loving child Kai. A true “Swedish-American,” Lorentz never lost touch with his heritage or his faith. He was a devoted member of Elim Lutheran Church in Petaluma for more than 60 years, serving as a steady presence within the congregation. In his later years, he found deep joy at his beloved “Viking Vineyards” home on Marshall Avenue. There, he fully remodeled the Arts and Crafts–style house and filled it with his own handcrafted furniture and stained-glass creations. A lifelong learner, Lorentz developed remarkable skill in woodworking and stained glass, while also pursuing beekeeping, winemaking, and the continual cultivation of the surrounding landscape and grounds at Marshall Ave. Lorentz was a man of integrity who believed deeply that “how we deal with life’s ups and downs says a lot about who we are,” a sentiment drawn from his autobiography, The Life of a Swedish American. He lived that belief daily, quietly, thoughtfully, and with purpose. Lorentz is survived by his wife Bonnie; his children Urban (Kim), Robert (Mary), Sean, and Kai (Austin); his grandchildren Elle (Ryan), Emily, Ellis, Violet, and Saoirse; and his great-grandson Finn. He is also survived by his siblings in Sweden. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his best friend of more than 70 years, Anders Carlberg. Lorentz leaves behind a legacy of faith, craftsmanship, curiosity, and love—a reminder that it is never too late to learn something new. As he often told his grandchildren, with a familiar twinkle in his eye: “Stay tuned - you never know what your Farfar will think of next.”