Howard L. Lentz , 87, Minot, formerly of Gardena, ND, died Wednesday, June 12, 2013 in a Minot hospital.
Howard was born July 17, 1925, in Bottineau, ND to Frederich and Anna (Hahn) Lentz. He was raised and educated in Gardena, ND, where he graduated from high school in 1943.
Howard was drafted into the US Navy on November 19, 1943, serving his country honorably until his discharge on March 19, 1946. He returned to North Dakota.
Howard was united in marriage to Lucille Zimmerman on Sept 26th 1949 in Crookston MN. They made their home in Gardena. He was employed by various companies during his working years in heavy construction for missile and coal gasification sites until his retirement in 1987.
Lucille passed away in 1995. He remained in Gardena until moving to Minot in 2011.
He was a past member of Gardena Lutheran Church, Gardena City Council and the Gardena American Legion. He currently was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Minot.
Howard enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and spending time with his family. He had a love/hate relationship with the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. He especially enjoyed treating his grandchildren and great-grandchildren with candy. He will be missed by all who shared in his life.
His loving family includes children, Virgil (Mary) Lentz, Wayne (Peggy) Lentz, and Deborah (Larry) Taylor, all of Minot, and Paulette (Timothy) Bullinger, Bismarck, ND; 11 grandchildren, Scott (Kim) Lentz, Aaron (Traci) Lentz, Matthew (Val) Lentz, Jason (Heather) Bullinger, Daniel Lentz, Jacob Lentz, Teresa (Brian) Hauser, Michelle (Josh) Gerrity, Emily (John) Naegeli, Marissa Taylor and Misha Taylor; 11 great-grandchildren, Logan, Miranda and Brady Gerrity, Leah and Adison Bullinger, Derry, Samantha, Kyle and Jackson Lentz, Nolan and Owen Naegeli and numerous nieces and nephews.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents, wife and sisters Dora Rabidue and Ida Schapp.
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 17, 2013 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Minot, ND
Interment: Gardena Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Gardena, ND
Visitation: Sunday from noon - 5:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Gardena Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Gardena, ND