Dean H. Lenz

A Mass of Christian Burial for Dean H Lenz, age 85, of Ames, IA will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at St. Cecelia's Catholic Church in Ames, IA, with lunch and time for fellowship following. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. Graveside Service will be at Calvary Cemetery in Milford, IA on Sunday, May 11 at 2:00 p.m.
Dean passed away Monday, March 31, 2025 at Bethany Manor in Story City, IA after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
Dean Henry Lenz was born on a farm on August 7, 1939 in Lidderdale, Iowa, the son of Edward Sebastian Lenz and Lillian (Philhelmina) Lenz. He was the oldest of five children and grew up in rural Carroll, graduating from Carroll High School in 1957. He served as an aircraft mechanic in the United States Air Force from 1959-1962. He also had a long career with The Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, starting as an Inspector and then relocating to Spencer, IA where he managed his own agency known as Clay County Mutual.
On August 19, 1967, Dean and Peggy "Joyce" (Williams) were married at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Grinnell, IA. Dean and Joyce resided in Carroll, Spencer, and Arnolds Park, IA and raised three daughters and one son. Dean was a member of the Lion's Club and enjoyed golfing, boating on Okoboji, live music, traveling, spending winters in Mesa, AZ and spending time with family and friends.
Dean is survived by his wife Peggy "Joyce" Lenz of Arnolds Park, IA; son, Bradley (Kathy) Lenz of Ames, IA, daughters Stefanie (Tony) Grilz, of Salt Lake City, UT, Stacie Lenz of Denver, CO and Nicole (Brian) Krejcha of Highland Ranch, CO and three grandchildren, Zoe (Thomas) Berquist of Clearwater, Fl, Zane Lenz of Ames, IA, and Dylan Grilz of St. George, Utah. He is also survived by three brothers, Maury (Eileen) Lenz of Decorah, IA; Merle (Mary Rose) Lenz of Mesa, AZ; and Ray Lenz of Carroll, IA and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dean is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Lillian Lenz, sister Phyllis Wiskus, half-brother Louis Lenz, sisters-in- law Carol Lenz, Donna Johnson, Donna Lenz, and brothers-in-law Rex Williams and Arnie Wiskus.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of Ames Cremation and Funeral Care and online condolences and memories may be left for Dean's family on his memorial page at www.amescremation.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Dean may be made to Alzheimer's Association.