AURORA – LaVerne Joseph John Lentz, 91, of Aurora, Iowa, passed while surrounded by many, many loved ones on April 21, 2024, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence, Iowa.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 26, at Saint Mary Catholic Church, Strawberry Point, Rev. John Haugen officiating.
Visitation services will be at Saint Mary Catholic Church Thursday, April 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. with a rosary at 3 p.m. and vigil service at 3:20 p.m.
Military Graveside Service by the honor guards of the U.S. Army and the Aurora American Legion.
Interment: Saint Albert Catholic Cemetery, rural Dundee, Iowa
Memorials may be directed to Saint Mary Parish, Aurora American Legion Post #435, or the Aurora Historical Society. Fawcett-Schmitz Funeral Homes, Winthrop & Lamont, is assisting the family.
Online obituary available at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com
LaVerne was born in Beaver, Iowa, March 26, 1933, and baptized in Ogden, Iowa, the son of Francois I. and Lorraine E. (Steffen) Lentz. LaVerne graduated from Stanley High School in 1951. He participated in band, drama, choir, and 4-H. After graduating, LaVerne worked for Whites Plumbing in Oelwein where he helped with the construction of the Oelwein Hospital addition. In March 1953, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and trained for FDC (fire direction control). He was offered a position to stay in the states on the Army swim team but declined. LaVerne felt very strongly that it was his duty to serve his country with his unit. He journeyed overseas during the Korean War and served with the 11th Field Artillery Battalion, working in the headquarters managing many of the administrative duties for the unit. A highlight during his time in Korea was taking many pictures with his new 35 mm camera especially when Marilyn Monroe performed a USO show. Unfortunately, when the pictures were developed, they came back all black! He always wondered who got those pictures!
LaVerne was a lifelong farmer that enjoyed being outside, caring for and reaping the rewards of what he sowed. When he was not busy farming, he enjoyed woodworking and fishing, especially when he was with his children and grandchildren. Over the years he enjoyed many social activities including ice skating, card club, and dancing. He and Phyllis even won a dance contest once, winning $25 which LaVerne spent on seed corn.
LaVerne lived a life of service, often holding leadership positions. He served over 60 years in the American Legion in various roles including Chaplain, Commander, VP and Treasurer. He served for 12 years on the East Buchanan school board including president. As a Farm Bureau member he held many positions, including Vice-President, County President, and voting delegate. He was a member of the Corn Growers Association, Soybean Associations, Milk Producers, Buchanan County Beef Producers, and the Pork Producers. He was on the board for the Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm (Borlaug) in Nashua for many years. He was a member of the Aurora Historical Society, the Aurora Community Club, and the American Legion Post #435. While a legion member, he received recognition in the Des Moines Register for an illegal gambling ticket received while he was volunteering at a legion fundraiser. (someone, NOT LaVerne, forgot to apply for the gambling license). Let’s just say, LaVerne always made sure there was a license after that!
LaVerne was a very faith filled man, he volunteered for many church buildings and grounds committees, he was a choir member, a lector, a commentator, and a eucharistic minister of holy communion. He lived his life as a servant to God in all his thoughts. His death on Good Shepherds Sunday was very fitting.
LaVerne was united in marriage to Phyllis Jean Bridges on Jan 24, 1955, at Sacred Heart Church in Oelwein, Iowa. This union of 69 wonderful years resulted in five children; Katherine (Timothy) Post of Independence, Michael (Jan Stessman) Lentz of Pittsboro, N.C., Douglas (Jeanne Krogmann) Lentz of Aurora, Karen (Brian) O’Loughlin of Kelley, and Nicholas (Janae Wilson) Lentz of Ogden. He is survived by 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; seven siblings: Julita Goedken, Mary (Sam) Ridenour, Madonna (John) Albright, Wanda Heitz, Leon (Janice) Lentz, Alvina Murphy, and Teresa (John) Nennig; brother-in-law Richard Heffernan; and many nieces and nephews.
LaVerne is preceded in death by his parents Francis and Lorraine Lentz; his mother and father-in-law, Fred and Katherine Bridges; his sister Elaine Heffernan; his brothers-in-law Norb Goedken, Gene Heitz, Dick Murphy, and Delbert Bridges; and sister and brother-in-law Patricia and Loyd Froning.
