Sept. 24, 2015 – Arthur E. “Art” Lenzen, 95, of Waconia passed away Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015 at the Lighthouse in Waconia.

Funeral service was at 2 p.m. Monday Sept. 28, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 601 E. Second St., in Waconia with the Rev. Robert Alsleben officiating. Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at Johnson Funeral Home, 141 First St. E., Waconia and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment was in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Waconia.

Art was born March 25, 1920, in Carver, the son of Henry and Margaret (Preiss) Lenzen. On Nov. 1, 1941, Art was united in marriage to Alice M. Haase in Crystal.

Art was a hardworking and clever man with many God-given abilities. He was always willing to share what he knew and what he had with others, remembering to begin at home. He was a loving and faithful husband to Alice for more than 72 years. Often stating “it would have been longer if he had met her sooner,” she was the “light of his life” to the very end and recently we would catch his eyes fixed on her picture as if to say, “stay right there because I am coming!” Together they raised five children and influenced the lives of 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. They were a great example and set high standards and a good work ethic for them all.

The partnership he created with Alice throughout the years never went unnoticed. They worked hand in hand, side by side making every day count. He could fix anything, sometimes fixing it so well he never had to “fix” it again. He was proud of his resourcefulness and ultimately could make almost anything work … at least for a while. It was obvious to those who knew him that he was a man of principle and could be depended upon to do a job and to do it well.

Sunday afternoons you might find him doing a waltz or a polka in the kitchen with Alice or working on the never-ending book work his business required. He loved to dance and even in the past few weeks, trying on his new re-soled shoes said, “Now I gotta dance” as he began tapping his toes and doing his familiar, “Yoo-hoo!”

Art never thought of himself as old, as the neighbors could all confirm. At the age of 90, he was up on his roof helping his grandsons re-roof the house. He was making sure that it was getting done “just right!”

He supported Alice for many years as she volunteered in the community of Waconia, especially at the hospital and The Once Again Shoppe. He was always looking forward to coffee time and lunch break. He had his favorites, to him “apple pie without cheese was like a hug without a squeeze!” He loved any kind of nuts, often saying, “I never met a nut I didn’t like!” He was easy to please which made pleasing him fun.

We are happy for him but sad for our loss. Yet rejoice in the fact that he is reunited with the “love of his life.” His work on earth is done and he has received the blessing of God’s love as God has said to him, “This is the day that I have made, rejoice and be glad in it!”

He will be missed, but his prayers were answered; a quick goodbye, and no suffering. He will remain in the hearts of us all forever.

Art was preceded in death by his wife, Alice; father and mother, Henry and Margaret Lenzen; granddaughter, Angela Tesch; son-in-law, Gary Wurdell; sisters, Margaret Scott and Audrey Scheuble.

Art is survived by his loving family: children and their spouses, Sue and Curtis Hart of New Germany, Shirley Wurdell of Hutchinson, Lonnie and Lanny Lenzen of Red Oak, Texas, Sandy Lenzen of Colorado Springs, Colo., Lori and Guyle Corley of Canyon, Texas; grandchildren, Jeff (Terri) Hart, Joel (Lona) Hart, Julie (Aloun) Phoulavan, Jessica (Steve) Nelson, Joy (Brian) Neff, Greg (Jill) Wurdell, Grant (Jenn) Wurdell, Gus (Beth) Wurdell, Jon (Sylvie) Lenzen, Niki (Chad) George, Danielle (Merideth) Cullen, Andrew Tesch, Aidan Corley, McKenna Corley; 25 great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Dorothy Scherer of North Carolina, Henry Lenzen of Watertown, Elaine Grapentine of Carver, Dick (Jeanette) Lenzen of Carver; sister-in-law, Bernice Haase of Bloomington; nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Casket bearers were his grandsons, Jeff Hart, Joel Hart, Greg Wurdell, Grant Wurdell, Gus Wurdell, Jon Lenzen, Andrew Tesch, Aidan Corley.

Arrangements with Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia; www.johnsonfh.com