John Paul Lenz

John Paul Lenz was born on February 18, 1973 to Mary (Toupal) and Paul Lenz in Mitchell, SD. John graduated from Kimball High School in 1991 and went on to attend Mount Marty College in Yankton, SD.
In 2002, John moved to Aberdeen where he met his wife, Ann (Prickett). In 2005, they moved to Kimball, SD. John opened River City Fitness, located in Chamberlain, SD in July of 2006. John and Ann and were married on July 14, 2006 at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Kimball, SD.
John and Ann had four children. They welcomed their first child, John Paul Jr (aka - "Johnny") on September 14, 2007. Vincent Jeffry was born March 22, 2009. Harry Jozef was born June 7, 2011 and Emma Mae made her appearance on August 12, 2013.
John was a devoted son, a loving husband, a dedicated father, the "best" brother and everyone's favorite uncle. He was involved with his children's activities as well as those of his family, community and church.
John owned and managed River City Fitness. While living in Kimball, and helping care for his mother Mary, he opened his first gym in 2006 in Chamberlain, SD. He opened a second location in Pierre, SD in 2007. It had always been his dream to own his own gym and help share his passion and knowledge about fitness and health. When his daughter was born in 2013, he sold the gym in Pierre to focus on family. He was very involved with his children. If he wasn't coaching, he was cheering for them on the sidelines at whatever sport was "in-season." He attended every vocal and band concert, ginger-bread house building contest and math grocery-store. John loved being able to take his kids to school every morning. Picking them up from school was his favorite part of the day, he loved how they ran out to him and told him about their day. At night, he and his boys would stay up late talking about sports, stats, etc.
For many years, John was a competitive powerlifter. He not only competed, but also hosted meets and did what he could to grow the sport in the state of South Dakota. Traveling all over the Midwest for this sport brought about some great friendships and memories.
In the fall, John enjoyed working at his brother's hunting lodge as a guide and bus-driver.and took pride in the fact that he never got a bus stuck. He would always come home with a funny story about the days' venture.
John was a wonderful cook. He was always looking to learn new ways of cooking meat and usually "doctored" up a recipe to make it his own. without really writing anything down. John hosted the Annual Kolache Day in Kimball every August with his wife, Ann. Weeks before the event, he would work with his kids on making practice batches teaching them how to properly handle the dough.
John was the most thoughtful person. He always put the needs of others before himself. He gave the best hugs.
Saying that John was a sports enthusiast would not really do him justice. He was a numbers-junkie and could tell you "who" played at "what" position, on "this" year. He was a life-long loyal fan of the NY Yankees, NY Giants and Notre Dame. This last year, he got to fulfill a childhood dream of meeting Lawrence Taylor and shared that experience with his oldest sons, Johnny and Vincent.
John recently began commentating on the livestream broadcasts for the local football and wrestling and he loved it. He would stay up late researching facts, stats and watch other schools' livestreams just to make sure he knew how to properly pronounce an athlete's name. In the morning, Ann would find his clipboard on the counter full of neatly stacked printouts, with notes and highlighted areas, ready for the evenings' broadcast.
John is survived by his best friend and wife Ann; their children: Johnny, Vincent, Harry and Emma; their three pups: Kilo, Zeke and Gustavson; his siblings: Joe and Amber Lenz (Caden, Carter and Lucas), Phil and Kari Lenz (Kylie, Paul and Tyler), and Mary P Lenz; parents-in-law Jeff and Connie Prickett; and brother-in-law John and wife Rochelle Prickett (Sophia and Samuel).
John was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Mary Lenz; his grandparents Helen and Harry Toupal and Philip and Mary Lenz; his beloved chocolate lab, Rudy and bulldog, Hank.
In lieu of flowers, an account has been established at First Dakota bank to receive memorial contributions for John and Ann's children.
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Funeral services for John Lenz, age 51, of Kimball, SD, were held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at 10:00 AM at St Margaret's Catholic Church, Kimball, SD, with Father Richard Fox and Father Greg Schill as Concelebrants.
There was a wake service on Tuesday evening at 7 PM at the church with visitation starting at 5:30 PM with Father Joe Holzhauser officiating. Rosary was led by the Knights of Colombus. Connie and Cooter Assmus were at the guest book.
Deacon Jim Bregal was Eucharistic Minister.
Altar Servers were Nathan Rybak and Joshua Rybak.
Lector was Rebecca Havlik
Nicole Geppert was in charge of the guest book.
Music was provided by Brenda Smith, pianist.
Cantors were Dale Taylor, Rebecca Rasmussen, and Andy Geppert.
Opening: Amazing Grace, You Are Near
Responsorial: On Eagles Wings
Offertory: Prayer of St Francis
Communion: Be Not Afraid, Hail Mary, Here I Am Lord
Closing: How Great Thou Art, Lead Me Lord
Pall Bearers were Brian Havlik, Cody Campbell, TJ Thomas, Austin Benson, John Toupal, and Caden Lenz.
Honorary Pall Bearers were John's nieces and nephews, John Prickett, and Joe Hutmacher.
Interment was in St Margaret Catholic Cemetery, Kimball, SD.
Special thanks to the Knights of Colombus for all their extra help.