Beverly Lenz

March 22, 2023

A celebration of life service for Beverly Lenz, 88, of St. James will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 25, at Salem Lutheran Church in Madelia, with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery in St. James.

Beverly was called to her eternal rest on Tuesday evening, March 14, 2023, at Seasons Healthcare Center in Trimont. A gathering of friends and family will take place 5–8 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Salem Lutheran Church in Madelia. Please share a memory of Beverly with her family by signing her online guestbook on her obituary page at www.kramerfuneralhome.com.

A recording of Beverly’s funeral service can be viewed on her obituary page after her service on Kramer Funeral Home website.

Beverly Yvonne (Wilcox) Lenz was born in Pocahontas, Iowa, on Aug. 29, 1934, the daughter of Edwin and Lucille Wilcox. She was the oldest of 11 children. Her family moved several times and she went to school at Eagle Grove, Altoona, Ventura and Clear Lake, graduating from Laurens High School in 1953.

Beverly met her future husband as a guest at a Walther League meeting at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mallard, Iowa. They didn’t date until she was asked out on April 4, 1954 — something special. They were married on Oct. 27, 1954, in Jackson by the Rev. Wm. J. Rossiter.

Beverly was confirmed and joined Trinity Lutheran Church in Mallard, Iowa, on April 3, 1955, by the Rev. Norris C. Crook. She was baptized on June 10, 1962, at Grace Lutheran Church, Waterloo, Iowa, by the Rev. M.W. Bergman. At the time of her passing, Beverly had been a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Madelia.

During over 68 years of marriage, Beverly raised six sons and three daughters, teaching them the way, the truth and the life. Beverly loved the little ones, especially as babies. If any one Bible verse fit it would be “Suffer the little ones to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God.” In the late 70s and early 80s she drove a noon kindergarten route and a special education student for our family bus service.

She is survived by her husband, Fredrick W. Lenz; children, Ronald (Shelly) Lenz of Truman, Nancy (Thomas) Benson of Mankato, Anthony (DeAnn) Lenz of St. James, David (Linda) Lenz of St. James, Daniel Lenz of Brownsville, Texas, Gaylen (Shari) Lenz of Lake Crystal, Angela Lenz of St. James, Paul (Francisca) Lenz Sr. of St. James and Diana (Tony) Schuetz of Shakopee; sisters, Charlene Eaton of Ruthven, Iowa, and Delores Jean Jackson of Laurens, Iowa; brothers, Gerald Wilcox of Spencer, Iowa, Gary Wilcox of Spencer, Iowa, Terry Wilcox of Arnolds Park, Iowa, and Larry Wilcox of Mason City, Iowa; 82 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Lucille Wilcox; father- and mother-in-law, Friedrich and Oliva Lenz; sisters, Joan Perrigo, Patricia Lindsey, Edwina Lee Peters and Shirley Wilcox in infancy; and grandsons, Corey Sathoff, Daniel Arthur Lenz, Taylor Sebastian Lenz, Gustavo Otelo Lenz and Adolfo Eusebio Lenz. Blessed be the memories of Beverly Yvonne Lenz.