George R. Lengol

George Robert Lengol, 90, of Rutland, VT died February 19, 2026 at Vista Senior Living in Killington, VT. He was born in Proctor, VT on February 28, 1935, the son of Michael and Sophie (Illinski) Lengol. A 1953 graduate of West Rutland High School, he was a member of the 1952 state championship basketball team. He received his BA Degree from Upsala College, East Orange, NJ in 1958 and earned his MA of Education in Rehabilitation Counseling from Boston University in 1971.

From 1958-1960, he was a YMCA youth counselor in Burlington, VT. In 1961 until his retirement in late 1996, he worked for the State of VT, Agency of Human Services, primarily in the Vocational Rehabilitation Department and served on C.A.I.R. in Rutland, VT.

On August 1, 1987, he married Kathleen Ross of Cloquet, MN at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Cloquet. Attending Sunday School and confirmed at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Rutland, he later joined Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Rutland. There he taught Sunday School, was an Assisting Minister, Lector, Communion Assistant and served on the Church Council and the Koinonia Board.

George was a member and volunteer at the Paramount Theatre, Rutland Historical Society, Life member of the Moose #1122, Sons of the American Legion Post #31, and Life member of the VFW Auxiliary #648, where he served as Chaplin, Secretary and Color Guard Captain.

Active in hiking, downhill and X-C skiing, baseball, basketball and softball, which he played on competitive leagues and in state tournaments.

Along with his wife, Kathy he enjoyed summer concerts, photography and family genealogy, extensive travelling throughout the US, Canadian Provinces, Nova Scotia, PEI, NB, Mexico, and Costa Rica. They took numerous trips to Europe including the Ukraine and Finland to research genealogy roots.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Kathleen A. (Ross) Lengol on 3/27/2021; sister, Ruth Hurley; sisters-in-law, Barbara and Vicki Ross; and brothers-in-law, Michael Hurley and Gary Ross. Survivors include a daughter, SSGT Susan Lengol Leith, retired USAF of Morristown, TN; granddaughter, Ashley Gower-Johnson of Rutland; brother-in-law, Dale (Gail) Ross of Cloquet, MN; nieces and nephews, Liz, Lisa, Anna, Jessica, Courtney, and Jeffrey.

Burial will be on March 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., next to his wife, Kathy, in Maple Grove Cemetery in Cloquet. Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Shepherd Church, 6 Church Hill Rd., Rutland, VT 05701 or Rutland Community Cupboard, 94 River St., Rutland, VT 05701. Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet, Minnesota and Tossing Funeral Home in Rutland, Vermont have been entrusted with arrangements.