Lensch, Mary Lou (Moen) 1926 - 2021
LENSCH, MOEN, LARSON, HELD, EBELL, PETERSON, OLSON, QUEEL, WARD
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 6/14/2021 at 19:36:59
Mary Lou (Moen) Lensch, age 94, of Decorah, IA passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah with her family at her side.
Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue in Decorah.
Private family funeral service and burial will be held at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church with Rev. Jennifer Edinger presiding.
Mary Lou was born July 24, 1926, in Decorah, IA, to Gerald and Ida (Larson) Moen. She was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church. Mary Lou attended Decorah schools and graduated in 1945. After high school, she attended Western Union in Cedar Rapids and graduated in December, 1945. Mary Lou married her high school sweetheart, Harry Lensch on January 13, 1946, after he returned from serving in the army as a corporal in WWII. They then purchased their farm in 1951 outside of Decorah and moved to town in 1998. They celebrated their 75th Wedding Anniversary together in January at Aase.
Faith, family, and friends may be a sign we have in our homes, but Mary Lou lived it. They were blessed with two sons, Steven and Tom. In 1958, Janet Peterson joined the Lensch family at the age of two, after Mary Lou’s sister, Hulda, passed away and they raised her as their own daughter. Mary Lou and Harry’s lives rotated around their children’s school and sporting events, plus hard work on the farm. Mary Lou was a devoted Mother, Grandma, and Great-Grandma. She attended every special event. The hundreds of pictures found tucked into books, drawers, and on her walls, captured many wonderful memories with family, her beloved three sisters, and camping trips with her friends.
Mary Lou worked with Harry on their farm for over 45 years milking cows, raising chickens, pigs, and growing crops. She became known as the cat lady caring for her numerous farm cats. She would be the first one to lend and hand to any neighbor in need and always had a cup of coffee and cookie when you came to the door. She enjoyed volunteering at the hospital, RSVP plus working part time at Darling’s Hallmark Store.
Mary Lou loved to gather with family and friends, dancing, and would rarely turn down a chance to play Euchre. Mary Lou and Harry spent many hours square dancing around the area and during Nordic Fest. She loved watching the Hawkeyes, Packers, and Tiger Woods. You knew to never stand in her way of watching the Lawrence Welk show, but most of all was her love and devotion for her partner.
Mary Lou’s faith was her strength and foundation. Washington Prairie was another center of her life; serving in WELCA, circles, church events, and teaching Sunday school with Eloise Bakke for over 20 years. She loved being close with her Washington Prairie friends and neighbors.
Mary Lou’s survivors include her husband: Harry Lensch, Jr of Decorah, IA. Two sons: Steve (Kathy) Lensch of Bettendorf, IA, Tom (Deb) Lensch of Decorah, IA. Daughter: Janet (Gary) Held of Chaska, MN. Eight grandchildren: Trisha (James) Ebell, Rob (Karrie) Lensch, Susan Lensch, Brian (Elly) Lensch, Angela (Tony) Lensch, Tim (Krissy) Held, Dan (Mallory) Held, and Eric (Rachael) Held. Step-brothers in law: David Lensch and John (Muriel) Lensch. Twelve Great-grandchildren and special nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents: Gerald and Ida (Larson) Moen and her step-mother Nora Moen. Three sisters: Hulda (Albert) Peterson, Gretchen (Melvin) Olson, and Ivernal (Craig) Queel. Brother-in-law: Robert (Betty) Lensch. Sister-in-law: Ruth Lensch. Step-mother-in-law: Sadie (Fay) Ward.
A special thank you to all the nurses and staff at Aase Haugen and Winneshiek County Hospice for the extraordinary care she received during her 5-year stay. They became her extended family, especially during this last year of Covid. Thank you to the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home and Pastor Jennifer Edinger.
Source: Schluter-Balik Funeral Home database
Washington Prairie Lutheran Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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