Bonnie Kay Lenz, 63
Published 8:54 am Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Bonnie Kay Lenz, 63 of Rochester, formerly of Austin, passed away peacefully Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010. She was surrounded with love at her home after an eight-month battle with cancer.
Bonnie was born Dec. 11, 1946 in Austin, to Donald and Betty Kolb. She was then raised by her maternal grandparents, John and Daisy Buchanan, whom she called Mom and Dad. She graduated from Austin High School in 1964. On June 11, 1965 she married her high school sweetheart, Warren N. Lenz, at the First United Methodist Church of Austin. Following their marriage Warren and Bonnie moved to Rochester and built their life together.
Bonnie was a stay-at-home mom until 1988 when she decided to go back to school to become a Registered Dental Assistant. She said her graduation from this program was one of her proudest accomplishments in life. She then went on to work for Dr. Leon Ernster for 14 years. She enjoyed this profession so much, that she worked at a variety of dental offices after Dr. Ernster’s retirement. She also volunteered her time at Good Samaritan Dental Clinic at the Salvation Army. Bonnie also thoroughly enjoyed being a volunteer Driver Safety Program instructor through AARP. She worked part-time at Hy-Vee Barlow after her retirement from dental assisting.
She was very proud of her grandchildren and enjoyed spoiling them. She also loved traveling and cruising the world with her husband, spending two weeks in the summer at Sandy Beach Resort, trips to the casino, sewing and doing crafts. Bonnie loved life and the adventures that came along with it.
Bonnie is survived by her loving husband, Warren; daughter, Tammy (Scott) Simonson of Rochester; son, Wade (Jennifer) of Rochester; grandchildren: Haley, Gunnar, Jordan, Avery, and Bria all of Rochester; “biological” sisters: Mary (Dolly) Kolb of Austin; Ann Kolb of Owatonna; Linda Dahmen of Rose Creek; Jean Tesch of Springfield, Mo.; Diane Krekelberg of Mapleview; Judy Stender of Clarks Grove; brothers, John (Jack) Buchanan of Springdale, Ark., and Neil Buchanan of Rogers, Ark..
She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Daisy Buchanan; her biological parents, Don and Betty Kolb; her Buchanan brothers and sisters: Floyd, John, Donald, Irene Ostergaard, Earl (Bud), Duane, James (Jimmy), Genevieve (Jenny), and Gordon (Gordy).
She and the family appreciated all the loving care she received at Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Hospice during her illness.
Bonnie requests that friends and family please honor her by having a glass of wine and proposing a toast to friends, family, and life. Bonnie prefers that this be a celebration of her life and not a mourning of her passing.
The celebration of life service for Bonnie K. Lenz will be held at 11a.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010 at St. Pius Catholic Church with Father Paul Nelson officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010 at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services at the church.
Memorials in Bonnie’s name may be given to Brains Together for a Cure,
www.brainstogetherforacure.org.
On-line condolences are welcome at caringbridge.org. Sign in using bonnielenz (all one word, no space).
Macken Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.