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Alice M. Lenzen Obituary – 8/1/2013


Alice M. Lenzen, age 92, of Waconia, died Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, at the Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia.

She was born Feb. 5, 1921, in Rosemount, the daughter of Henry and Amanda (Sasse) Haase.

Alice was united in marriage to Arthur E. Lenzen Nov. 1, 1941, in Crystal.

An energetic and creative woman with many great God-given gifts, Alice shared those gifts with everyone she met, but focused on her family first. She was a loving and faithful wife to Art for over 72 years. Together, they loved and raised five children and influenced the lives of 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and five great- great-grandchildren. Alice and Art were a great example and set high standards and a good work ethic for them all.

The partnership Alice created with her husband throughout the years never went unnoticed. She was always at his side, making a good day better. She had the ability to make “something out of nothing,” and was never afraid to try a new or different idea.

Alice taught others what she knew, and learned from them, as well, through Homemakers and 4-H leadership as she walked each of her children through their membership years with cooking, sewing, and baking.

Sunday afternoons, you could find Alice doing a waltz in the kitchen with Art, or perfecting her fern leaf peonies in the yard so she could share them with friends. She enjoyed being a part of medical studies when asked, and her interest in health care continued as she volunteered for over 30 years at the hospital, taking the responsibilities very seriously. Hospice volunteering was a special love of hers, as it gave her great personal satisfaction.

Volunteer driving and Meals on Wheels were some of the times she could share with others and give back to the community of Waconia, which she loved. Alice had a welcoming smile that attracted people to her heart and to her home; she never seemed too busy to visit or to help someone out. Her coffee pot was always on, and you were sure to find something baked on a plate next to it.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Amanda Haase; granddaughter Angela Tesch; son-in-law Gary Wurdell; sisters; brothers; sisters-in-law; and brothers-in-law.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 72 years, Art Lenzen; loving family: children and their spouses Sue and Curt Hart of New Germany, Shirley Wurdell of Hutchinson, Lonnie and Lanny Lenzen of Red Oak, TX, Sandra Lenzen of Colorado Springs, CO, and Lori and Guyle Corley of Canyon, TX; grandchildren Jeff (Terri) Hart, Joel (Lona) Hart, Julie (Aloun) Phoulavan, Jessica (Steve) Nelson, Joy (Brian) Neff, Greg (Jill) Wurdell, Grant (Jenn) Wurdell, Gus (Beth) Wurdell, Jon (Sylvie) Lenzen, Niki (Chad) George, Danielle (Merideth) Cullen, Andrew Tesch, Aiden Corley, and McKenna Corley; 23 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Alice is further survived by a sister, Anna Marie Gelder of South Carolina; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Bernice Haase of Bloomington, Phyllis Haase of Mora, Dorothy Scherer of Kansas, Henry Lenzen of Watertown, Elaine Grapentine of Carver, and Dick and Jeanette Lenzen of Carver; nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends.

The funeral service took place Monday, Aug. 5 at 2 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Waconia with the Rev. Phil Wagner officiating. Interment was in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Waconia.

Visitation was Sunday, Aug. 4, from 4-7 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia, and continued Monday for one hour prior to the service at the church.

Casket bearers were Alice’s grandsons: Jeff Hart, Joel Hart, Greg Wurdell, Grant Wurdell, Gus Wurdell, Jon Lenzen, Andrew Tesch, and Aiden Corley.

Arrangements were with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia; www.johnsonfh.com.

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