Helen Lentz

For Helen Lentz, nothing in life was more important that spending time with family. A kind, hard working woman, Helen enjoyed the simple things in life, like cooking a meal, sewing, and working in her garden. A beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Helen lived a full life surrounded by those she loved most.

Helen's story begins in the year 1916, as an age of great social and economic change was coming to a close in America, only to be replaced by a time of world wide conflict. In 1916, the nation was just months away from formally declaring war on Germany, and would soon find itself in the midst of a conflict which we now know as WWI. But for Eldie and May (Penrod) Troutman, that year was filled with joy and anticipation as they prepared their home in Dongola, Illinois for the birth of a new baby. One hot summer day, on August 26, 1916, they welcomed a new child into their lives, a baby girl they named Helen.

Helen spent her childhood growing up on her family's farm in Southern Illinois with her two sisters, Hilda and Hazel. Unfortunately for the girls, there was not much to do around Dongola, Il, so they became skilled at using their imaginations, getting into mischief and making their own fun. For the people in Helen's community, chewing gum was a scarce but coveted treat. A fun loving child, Helen enjoyed tricking people, and one time handed out laxatives in the guise of gum. But Helen's mischief often had negative consequences on herself as well. Her father raised his own tobacco for personal use. One time, Helen's curiosity carried her away, and she got into the tobacco, and then ate some coconut cake. At the time, Helen was sure that she would die from it! Helen's father handled his daughters' mischief, but being a kind hearted man, when he was punishing her, he would often cry along with her. As a child, Helen developed a hatred for two things. Long stockings were one and along with her granddaughter Ashlee, underwear!

When Helen had grown into a beautiful woman, she attended church where a young man named Lloyd Lentz caught her eye. The two fell in love, and were married in the year 1933 in Dongola. They soon decided to start a family, and Helen gave birth to three wonderful children, two daughters named Shirley and Brenda and a son named Farris. The Lentz family grew up on Helen's family farm until they moved to Kankakee area in the mid 1950's. Helen was a strict mother, and kept her children busy doing chores and helping around the farm. She valued modesty for her children as well, and her daughters were never allowed to wear shorts, just peddle pushers.

Helen worked as a supervisor at the Manteno State Hospital for 30 years, and was a valuable employee. She retired in 1982, and used her new time to pursue interests such as sewing, gardening, baking, cooking, cleaning, and playing the piano. She also found great joy in helping others, and was a faithful member of Bethel Baptist Church for 55 years. Helen also enjoyed traveling with Lloyd in her retirement, and took trips many trips to Canada, and annual trips to Texas.

In 1992, Helen experienced a time of great sorrow when her husband, Lloyd, passed away. But she took comfort in her family and grandchildren, and devoted her time to making many wonderful memories with her loved ones. Helen loved holidays, and her grandchildren have fond memories of Christmases at grandma's house. Meals were always special for Helen as well, and her family especially loved her delicious chicken noodles, cakes, and pies. She often made dinner preparation a family affair, and enlisted the help of her grandkids to shuck corn.

As a product of the Great Depression generation, Helen never wasted anything, and was often found saying, "If you'd lived in the Depression, you'd understand." Her waste not want not attitude contributed to a love of canning and preserving food, and she always did dishes the old fashioned way, believing that dishwashers were a waste of energy and water. Helen also enjoyed special trips to Dairy Queen with her granddaughter Jessica before sleepovers, and kept a dress form in her basement that always frightened her grandson Zach. She also practiced caution, and always kept her Monopoly game hidden, believing that her grandkids didn't understand how to play it properly, and just enjoyed the pieces. Helen lived a very healthy life of 94 years before passing away from a sudden illness on November 30, 2010 in Bourbonnais, IL.

Helen was a kind, loving woman who always kept a special place in her heart for her family. From sharing a meal with her children to sharing the joy of Christmas with her grandkids, Helen always knew that time spent with those you love most is time well spent. A loving wife and beloved mother and grandmother, Helen will be dearly missed, and fondly remembered.

Helen is survived by two daughters; Shirley Bradley of Bloomington IL., Brenda and James LaBon of Bourbonnais IL., one sister; Hilda West of Cypress IL., one daughter in law; Vida Mileris of Forest VA., seven grandchildren; Sheryl and Steve Miller, Shandra and Ron Jenkins, Cindy and Jeff Tanzar, Chris and Donna Lentz, David Lentz, Zachary LaBon, and Jessica LaBon, seven great grandchildren; Ashlee Pierson, Farris Pierson, Rachel and Rochelle Mowry, Christa Lentz, Joshua Lentz, and Taylor Tanzar, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded by her husband, one son Farris Lentz and one sister Hazel Penrod.

A celebration of life service will be held December 4, 2010 at Bethel Baptist Church in Bourbonnais IL. at 11 a.m. The Rev. Chris Lentz and Rev. Wright Everson will officiate. A gathering time for family and friends will be December 3, 2010 at the Bourbonnais Chapel of the Schreffler Funeral Homes from 4-8 p.m. and also one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church. To view her video tribute, leave a condolence, download a special photo, or sign Helen's online guestbook, please visit lifestorynet.com.