Elaine F. Lenz, 84, of Delavan, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Jan. 21, 2014. She was born to William and Marie (Baum) Joseph, in Ashland on May 12, 1929.
She graduated from Glidden High School in 1946. On Nov. 22, 1947, in Medford, Elaine married her high school sweetheart, William “Bill” R. Lenz. Shortly thereafter, they made their home in Walworth, and then Delavan.
In earlier years, Elaine enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, bird watching, square dancing with “The Elkhorn “Limber Timbers,” and ballroom dancing. She worked outside the home at Borg Instrument in Delavan for only a few years since her life’s career was the care and nurturing of her family. You would have to look far and wide to find a more caring and selfless wife, mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was the rock and anchor of her family and will be greatly missed.
She is survived by Bill, her husband of 66 years; her children, Jean (Dave) Eddy, Joyce (Dennis) Jacobs, Bill (Judy) Lenz, and Gary (Sandy) Lenz, all of the Delavan area; her brother, Harold Joseph, of Glidden; her grandchildren, Heather (Ray) Alvey, Bill (Megan) Eddy, Grant (Jean) Jacobs, Daniel (Sue) Jacobs, Lisa (Jared) Brown and Karen (Kevin) Kitslaar; 15 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Her family meant the world to Elaine, and she truly loved and cherished each and every one of them.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; her infant son; her brother, Clarence Joseph; her sister, Eleanor Anderson; sisters-in-law, Helen and Dabney Joseph; brother-in-law, Lawrence Anderson; nephews, Raymond Anderson and Bill Joseph; niece, Linda Joseph; great-great nephew, Blair Boening; and her beloved grandson, Joey Lenz.
The family wishes to thank the staffs of Willowfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Saint Jude Hospice for their loving care and support the past two months.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 29 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 416 W. Geneva St., Delavan, with the Rev. Robert P. Rickman officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Wednesday at the church. Burial will follow services at Spring Grove Cemetery in Delavan.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorial may be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church or Saint Jude Hospice. Monroe Funeral Home in Delavan is assisting the family.
