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Gary Lenz Obituary
He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael.
Gary is survived by his wife of 32 years, Nancy; children, Jason (Ashley) of Shakopee, Minn., David (Lyz) of Cedar Rapids, Matthew and Michelle; parents, Roger and Gilma Lenz, of Riceville; brother, Jeffrey (Vickie), of Bettendorf; sister, Judy (Mark) Brown, of Osage; sister-in-law, Julie (Steve) Hay, of Eau Claire, Wis., and many relatives and friends.
Gary was educated in Riceville Community Schools and graduated in the class of 1971. He attended Iowa State University and graduated with a BS in mechanical engineering and later attended the University of Iowa and received an MS in mechanical engineering.
Upon graduation from Iowa State, Gary was a design engineer with Fisher Controls in Marshalltown, and later a director of engineering for Fisher in Austin, Texas.
In 1988, Gary joined Rosemount in Eden Prairie, Minn., where he was VP of engineering for Rosemount and Fargo Electronics and most recently CEO of CXO Advisors, an international business consulting firm that he founded. During Gary's career he was awarded more than 90 patents.
Gary was a man of great faith and loved his Lord Jesus Christ who blessed Gary with the gifts of leadership, teaching and faith. Gary loved family activities and enjoyed coaching youth baseball for more than 30 years; most recently with the Eden Prairie Baseball Association. He was an avid fisherman.
A celebration service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 18, at the Wooddale Church, 6630 Shady Oak Road in Eden Prairie, Minn.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 17, at the Washburn McReavy Funeral Home, 7625 Mitchell Road in Eden Prairie, Minn., and for one hour prior to the funeral at Wooddale Church.
Memorials may be sent to the Bethel University Scholarship Fund or Samaritan's Purse.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Lenz
Paul Lam
May 28, 2007
Nancy,
I am so sorry about your loss. Even though we hardly talked to each other, Gary was very helpful in one of the many home projects. We really did not say goodbye when you guys moved out of Eden Prairie. We hope that life will return to normalcy. Our prayers go out to you and your family.
Paul and Quyen Lam
Evren Eryurek
May 22, 2007
Dear Lenz family
I wanted to tell you how sad I was when I was first informed. Gary has been a mentor, a friend and a great leader for me. We will all miss Gary a lot.
Janet (Johnson) Dreher
May 21, 2007
I am so sorry to hear about Gary. Nancy, as a childhood family friend and then spending a few years in Marshalltown at the same time, I held a great respect for you and Gary. Your marriage was based on God's foundation from the very beginning. You and Gary have both had a tremendous impact on many, many lives, and this wonderful legacy will be perpetual and eternal. Be happy for Gary as he begins his new life, and pursist in this earthly, daily life that he wishes for you to be happy in as well. I would LOVE to meet your kids some day. If there is anything I can do for you from Des Moines (maybe an airport pickup?), please let me know.
Patty Creem
May 20, 2007
Dear Lenz Family,
I was sad to hear of Gary's passing. I only spent two days with Gary and sons but could see what a wonderful father and family man he was.
I am so glad I got to meet him in Spring Training, he will never be forgotten.
May your memories of Gary comfort you in this time of great sorrow.
Patty
Angie Roloff
May 19, 2007
Nancy,
Having met you at the cancer support group and updated on Gary weekly by Linda at Bible Study, I have thought of you often these past weeks. I went to Gary's service Friday. It was so beautiful. It is obvious Gary was a wonderful husband, father, and man. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of deep sorrow. I will continue to pray our great and mighty God will provide for your every need.
Ed Lippert
May 19, 2007
Nancy and family, we are sorry for your loss. Gary was a very special man and it was our privilege to have spent time with him. He was an exemplary father and was very justifiably proud of his family. Mike said the service at Wooddale was excellent. I’m sorry the rest of our family was unable to attend. Paul was especially sorry he couldn’t get back from Boston for the service.
Our prayers are with you all,
Ed & Betsey Lippert and family
Jim Dockendorf
May 18, 2007
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Bob and Lucille Johnson
May 17, 2007
Nancy & family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you now, Nancy. We are so sorry that we couldn't come up to be with you and your family but we want you to know we are sure thinking about you now. We pray that God will give you strength during this difficult time.
Sue Raia
May 17, 2007
Dearest Nancy and Michelle,
We have prayed for Gary daily since hearing of his illness. We were so sorry to hear of his passing. We will continue to lift you up as you go forward. We know that the tears are only a sign of the great void he leaves, and your great love for him. The Lord treasures those tears but we pray also for the smiles of lots of happy memories over these next days. May our Lord strengthen you with His joy at having welcomed Gary home. With love, Sam, Sue and Cathryn Raia
Nikki Myers
May 17, 2007
Jason & Family,
I am truly sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all in your time of grief and healing. May your loving memories bring you comfort.
Barry, Mary, Jonathan, & Michael Joannides
May 17, 2007
Dear Lenz Family,
You're in our hearts, thoughts, & prayers. We have wonderful memories of Gary and will treasure those forever.
Sincerely,
Dick and Susan Lytle
May 17, 2007
Nancy and family,
Gary was a special friend. He entered the heart of everyone he met and the love he felt for the lord, family, colleagues and friends was admired by all. We will forever cherish his memory.
steve brown
May 17, 2007
lenz family, gary will be missed.i enjoyed gary as a coach and friend.i'll never forget how much his face lit up when we volunteered at the kids baseball camps in eden prarie.
Tom and Anne Cardle
May 17, 2007
Dear Nancy, Michelle and Family,
Our hearts are breaking for you in your loss of your dear husband and father. We are encouraged to think of the truths of Heaven, the realities of Gary's rest and residence with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And, we remember I Thess 4:13; we grieve, but not without hope.
May God hold you all close to his heart during this time of learning to live without Gary's presence here on earth. May you minds be filled with the dear memories, and overflow with the Hope of Heaven.
Adrian and Robin Toy
May 17, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time.
Jake Wienke
May 17, 2007
Matt and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. What a great man of God you all had in your life. I can't help but be over joyed that he is now in Heaven with Jesus and his broher. You are all in our prayers. We love you guys.
john hoffer
May 17, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with the Lenz family. I am truly sorry for your loss. Gary will be missed....
Zach Wigle
May 17, 2007
Lenz Family,
I was so sad to hear of your loss. Gary was a great man and he will be missed by many. His contributions to so many people will never be forgotten. Our prayers have been with you the past few months and I know how hard this is. My wife Julie lost her father this past Christmas at the age of 54. Gary is in a better place now celebrating with Julie's dad Gary. We will continue to pray and think of you all often. Lots of Love, Zach and Julie Wigle
Drew Bartley
May 16, 2007
Nancy, kids and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I thank God for Gary, he has been a role model for me for many years... great husband, father, businessman, baseball coach and friend. I will not forget him.
Kenny & Mickie Bergeson
May 16, 2007
Dear Nancy and Family - How sad we are for you. How we wish we could be with you and give a big hug. You are dear to us and we pray for comfort and guidance during these sad times. Love you. Kenny and Mickie
Dale Nugent
May 16, 2007
Dear Lenz family,
Gary's leadership and stateman's presence will be missed greatly at RivaTek. Through Gary we were able to meet David, who interned with us for a couple summer's. A special blessing of God's peace to him during this time.
On a personal note, I will greatly miss his counsel and friendship.
I am so sorry for loss of you son, husband, and father. I know his faith has lifted him to a better place, albeit sooner than seems right.
God bless you all.
Marcus Andert
May 16, 2007
A heartfelt sorrow goes out to the Lenz family. Gary’s contribution to Eden Prairie baseball as a coach and teammate’s father will never be forgotten.
Randy and Mary Schendel
May 16, 2007
Jason and Family
We were so sad to hear about your Dad. We always enjoyed the time with him in Ft Myers and during the Bethel baseball games. You made him so proud. Our very deepest sympathies to you and the rest of your family. Keep all of those great memories close to help you through this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Karen (Lenz) Johnson
May 16, 2007
Dear Nancy, Gilma & Roger,
I am so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. He will be sadly missed by family and friends. He has left a wonderful legacy and will live on in our hearts and memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Israel Alguindigue
May 16, 2007
Our deepest sympathy to his family. Gary was a gifted leader and teacher and an extraordinary mentor. He will be greatly missed in the business community.
kathy rottink
May 16, 2007
dear gilma and roger, we are so saddened by the loss of your son. i am saying prayers for you all. leroy and kathy rottink
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