Gertrude Lentz
January 13, 1914 ~ September 22, 2008
Gertrude M. Lentz, 94, of Elma, Iowa passed away peacefully with all of her children by her side, on Monday September 22, 2008 after a brief illness.
Gertrude Marie Lentz was born January 13, 1914 in rural Elma the daughter of Edward and Helena (Diederich) Freidhof. She attended St. Williams School in Alta Vista and graduated from St. Williams High School in 1931. On May 4, 1937 she married Charles N. Lentz at St. Bernards Church in Alta Vista. They rented and farmed near Elma on the Lentz family farm from 1949 till Charles' death in 1971, when Gert moved into Elma. Gert was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and Rosary Society. She was active in the choir and past president of the Dubuque Archdiocese Council of Catholic Women for more than twenty years. She was also in the Friends and Neighbors Club, participated in the congregate meals in Elma, was a resident advocate and volunteer at the Colonial Manor nursing home in Elma, a member of the Senior Citizen Club of Elma, her Bridge Club, participated in Mission Sewing, and she was on the advisory council of North Land Agency on Aging.
Gert enjoyed traveling to Rome and the Holy Land, Egypt, Canada, and many places in the USA. Her hobbies included: playing Scrabble, gardening, sewing, embroidering, quilting, crocheting afghans, oil painting, cake decorating, playing cards and talking to her family on the phone. Gert was employed by the Comprehensive Systems/Cottage for ten years.
Gert is survived by eight children Linus (Elsie) Lentz of Elma, IA, Charlotte (Robert) Sweeney of Chicago, IL, John (Sandra) Lentz of Elma, IA, Daniel (Dena) Lentz of Mill Creek, WA, Sister Bonita Lentz RSM of Cedar Rapids, IA, Rose Mary (Thomas) Walsh of Lewisville, NC, Michael (Robin Fishman) Lentz of Albuquerque, NM, and Joseph Lentz, of Freeport, IL; 25 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; four brothers Adrian (Helen) Freidhof of New Hampton, IA, Fabian (Berenice)Freidhof of Elma, IA, Cyrus (Jeanne) Freidhof of Alta Vista, IA, and Robert (Lorraine) Freidhof of Ridgeway, IA; numerous nieces and nephews; brother-in-laws Lavern Lentz of Fairfax, IA and Robert Brennan of Waterloo, IA.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Charles N. on August 19, 1971; her brother Jerome Freidhof in 1944 (Battle of the Bulge), her sister Edith Schmitt-Heit in March of 2008, her grandson David Lentz, and a brother and a sister in infancy.
Cemetery:
Interment will be in Calvary Cemeteryat Elmawith Steve Lentz, Jeff Lentz, Andy Lentz, Tony Lentz, Mark Sweeney, Paul Sweeney, Jim Walsh and P.J. Walsh serving as casket bearers. Honorary bearers will be Joe Sweeney, Don Sweeney, Edward Sweeney and Tom Walsh.
Visitation:
Visitation will be from 4:00PM to 8:00PM on Thursday, September 25, 2008 with a 5:00 pm scriptural wake service and a rosary at 7:00pm at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday.
Service:
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00am, Friday, September 26, 2008 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elma with Father Ray Atwood as celebrant. Theresa Burke will be the organist and the congregational hymns will be Here I Am Lord, Prayer of St. Francis, Gentle Woman, Ave Marie, Precious Lord Take My Hand and Be Not Afraid.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
To All of Gerts family, you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this time of loss. Gert will be remembered fondly, especiallly of her love of her family.
So sorry to hear of Gerts passing but you can bet that she and Grandma Edith already have some Scrabble games going on. Know that each and every one of you have been in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Lentz family, I regret that we will not be able to attend the services for Gert. But know that we are with you in spirit and in prayer. Gert was a dear woman who lived a holy faithfilled and fruitful life. She will be missed.
My condolences to the family. It has been an inspiration to see Gert at Mass, even when it got more difficult for her to walk, and to sing with her in the choir. I will be in Missouri and will miss the wake and funeral but I wanted you to know how much she will be missed.
Our sympathy to all of the Gert Lentz Family.We will be in Colorado when her services are held. I have many good memories of Gert from my High School days and beyond. Sincerely, Louise and Donn Harris
The first time I meet Gertrude Lentz was Thanksgiving Day 1981. I never forgot the loving first impressions big dinner, lots of family, scabble, her recalling the old days and planning the scheduled activities of the next weeks bridge games, CCW meetings, choir and on and on and on. We now celebrate her life, her accomplishments and her strenght. For such a long, healthy good life we give thanks. She was a true matriarch loved by both family and friends. I will truly miss her. Eternal rest grant unto her o Lord. a North Carolina Son- in- Law
To the Lentz family, I am thinking of you at this difficult time. I am a friend of Nancys and have heard many wonderful stories about her grandma. She lived a long and full life. I am praying for you and thinking of you.
To the Lentz Family My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. She lived a long life and you have many fond memories to keep her within your hearts. My deepest sympathy.
Aunt Gert was such an awesome lady. She sent us a small pink holy medal when out 1st daughter was born for her new great niece when she was at one of her deanery meetings. She always let me borrow her “Lamb Cake” pan when I needed it. May she enjoy being part of His flock now. All my love, Donna
I know how difficult loss can be. The Lentz family is in my thoughts and prayers.