John A. Lenz, a man whose heart never truly left the farm and whose life was anchored in faith and family, passed away on the 11th of March at the age of 86.
Born on November 22, 1939, to Martin Sr. and Ruth (Haeberlein) Lenz, he grew up in the rural Dodgeville area, graduating from high school in 1957 and confirmed at Mt. Calvary Lutheran church in Milwaukee in 1960. Though he left the family farm in 1960 to seek a new beginning in Milwaukee, the values of the land stayed with him forever.
His life changed forever on a dance floor. Taking lessons at Fred Astaire and the YMCA, he spent his young adult years dancing the swing, waltz, and polka at halls from Muskego to Milwaukee. It was in a mixer dance that he met the love of his life, Lois Niese. In a moment of perfect timing, he caught her just as she was putting on her jacket to leave. That encounter led to a beautiful marriage on September 11, 1965, at Mt. Lebanon Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa.
In 1972, the family settled in West Bend, where their front yard bordered a baseball diamond and park—a fitting view for a man who loved watching his children and grandchildren play for decades. In his own backyard, he tended to a massive garden and fruit trees, often seen happily patrolling the lawn on his John Deere riding mower. He remained a farmer at his core and in his heart. He was proud to keep the farming blood in his veins with countless trips to Dodgeville to help with the Home Farm mending fences and plowing fields alongside his brothers, a labor of love he continued until 2020.
A faithful member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in West Bend, he loved Jesus and his family with every ounce of his being. He was his children’s and grandchildren’s biggest fan, enjoying countless sporting events and musical performances. When he wasn't in the bleachers, he was likely on the water. An avid fisherman, he spent many "crack of dawn" mornings in a boat with his sons, wife or friends, especially on Lake Winnebago chasing walleyes. As a dad he would load the family into the latest Lenz big vehicle for road trips all over the US and Canada, and they continued traveling as a couple. John also found much joy in spending weekend afternoons watching the Badgers and Packers. He found his professional home at Perlick Corp, where he dedicated more than 40 years of loyal service to the company.
He is preceded in Heaven by his beloved wife of 55 years, Lois (6/25/2021). He leaves behind a family he loved and cherished deeply: five children Daniel (Kathryn) Lenz of Delavan, Jeffrey (Cari Ann) Lenz of Appleton, Dr. Michael (Joy) Lenz of Oconomowoc, James (Julie) Lenz of Howard, and Debra (Corey) Honl of Pewaukee; his 14 grandchildren Luke, Dawson, Matthew, Andrew, Jared, Isaiah, Matthea, Brooklyn, Jacey, Jocelyn, Jacob, Allie, Sophie, and Brody and step-grandson Peyton; brothers Martin Sr (Rosemarie) and Leonard Lenz, nieces and nephews, and a legacy of hard work, dedication, and devotion.
A funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, March 30th, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (777 S. Indiana Ave., West Bend, WI 53095). Visitation will be held at Church from 9 until 10:45 AM. Burial will be held at East Side Cemetery in Dodgeville on Tuesday, March 31st, at 11:00AM. Memorials to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Building Fund (see address above) or the Iowa County 4-H (303 W. Chapel Street, Ste 1200, Dodgeville, WI 53533, Attn: Dan Brandt) would be appreciated. A special thank you to the caretakers at Heritage Lake Country, which includes his granddaughters Sophie and Brooklyn.