Loren A. Farrey

May 24, 1940 - December 27, 2020

Mineral Point - Loren Andrew Farrey, local historian, educator, husband and father, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2020, at age 80. Loren and Arlene, his wife of 55 years, resided in Mineral Point.    Born May 24, 1940, in the Lafayette County village of Leadmine, Wisconsin, Loren maintained strong connections to the area throughout his life.    Historian: Loren collected and curated tools, photographs and stories of the lead and zinc mining industry of southwest Wisconsin in the early 20th century. He enthusiastically shared this knowledge when speaking at regional history events, writing the book A Tour Guide to the Mines of Lafayette County, Wisconsin, and narrating a video for the Mining Museum in Platteville. Loren has been called “an irreplaceable historical resource on southwest Wisconsin mining.”   Educator: Loren will be remembered professionally as a dedicated educator. In 1966, he established a guidance program in the Wrightstown Community School District. From 1968 to 1979, he served as Guidance Director for the Mineral Point Unified School System. Loren enjoyed helping students find their strengths and identify well-suited vocations, and he took pride in their accomplishments after high school.    His own education included Benton High School and the Wisconsin State College & Institute Of Technology (now UW-Platteville). He earned the prestigious National Defense Education Act scholarship, which sponsored his graduate study in educational guidance and counseling at the University of Wyoming.   In 1979, the family moved to Pardeeville, Wisconsin, when Loren joined Wisconsin Power and Light. He worked in power production, gas marketing and risk management/ insurance. Loren retired from WPL in 1998.   Community: Loren and Arlene returned to Mineral Point in 2008. Loren rejoined the Leadmine Primitive Methodist Church and led a group of fellow septuagenarian members in making multiple updates to the 1800s building, culminating with the addition of a steeple.   A proud member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) from 1959 until his death, Loren served in leadership roles at Leadmine Lodge #168 (now merged with Justina IOOF Lodge #12 of Shullsburg) as well as Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of IOOF Wisconsin.    Family: Loren was a dedicated husband and father who enjoyed sharing his children’s and grandchildren’s lives. He provided valuable counsel about life, home renovation projects, cars, and a multitude of random topics. As an avid researcher of genealogy, Loren viewed his family through a wide lens. Over his lifetime, he built a network of cousins (most related, some acquired) throughout the world and corresponded with them regularly. This group fondly notes that he was a natural storyteller skilled at building and maintaining connections.    Loren will be greatly missed by his wife, Arlene Roeber Farrey; daughter Ellen Farrey-Goudreau (Mark) of Summit, New Jersey; daughter Ruth Murphy (Lawrence/ “Murph”) of Minneapolis, Minnesota; son Steve Farrey (Sandy) of Greenville, South Carolina; grandchildren Claire Goudreau, Sylvie Goudreau, Thomas Goudreau, Julia Murphy and Michael Murphy; and first cousins Jeanette Driscoll Giron and Laura Farrey Buchanan. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Esther Lindsay Farrey, and brother, Harold Farrey.    A celebration of Loren’s life is planned for later this year with an interment in the Leadmine PM Church Cemetery.   Condolence cards may be sent to directly to Arlene Farrey or through Gorgen Funeral Home in Mineral Point (https://www.gorgenfh.com). In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to the Benton Community Fund through csfw.org/donate. After clicking “Give Now,” select “Benton Community Fund” and designate your gift in Loren’s memory.