KESSLER, Waneta G. (Lenz) 1934-2001

KESSLER, WAGNER, LENZ

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 5/15/2011 at 22:59:18

WANETA G. LENZ KESSLER

CHINO HILLS, CALIFORNIA - Waneta G. Lenz Kessler, 67, died December 20, 2001, due to complications from chemotherapy following colon cancer surgery.

Born in Hopkinton, Iowa, on October 14, 1934, she was a daughter of Ronald and Gladys Wagner Lenz, who preceded her in death. She grew up on farms at Floyd and Rudd, Iowa.

She was a 1952 graduate of Rudd High School and a 1956 graduate of Coe College in Cedar Rapids, majoring in religion.

She moved to California in 1957 to begin a 38-year teaching career for the Garden Grove Unified School District, teaching first and second grades.

As a youth she was active in the Girls' and Boys' 4-H clubs, many school activities, and the choir and youth groups of the First Methodist Church.

She and her husband, Robert, lived in Anaheim for many years. They owned and managed the Palm Motor Lodge. After moving to Chino Hills in 1988, she became an active member of the Loving Savior of the Hills Lutheran Church. She was a 10 year member of the Chino Hills Lions Club.

She donated untold hours at the annual pumpkin lot and Christmas tree lot, among other activities. She was honored as a Melvin Jones Fellow. She worked as a volunteer aide at her grandchildren's school, following her retirement in 1995.

She is survived by her husband, Robert D.; daughter, Kathy Brown; son-in-law, Bill Brown; son, Ronald R.; grandsons, Robert, Ryan, David, Redmond, Jessie, Ronald; and granddaughters, Ali, Kimberly, Kristin; brothers, Gayle Lenz, Riverside, Calif., John Lenz, Fort Worth, Texas; sister, Judy Settle, Irvine, Calif.; and many other family members and friends.

She will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral services have been held, with inurnment at Fairhaven Memorial Park Cemetery in Santa Ana, Calif.

[ Globe Gazette, Jan. 30, 2002 ]