Funeral services for Anna Lou “Ann” (Mrs. Luther) Lentz, age 85, of Mitchell, SD, formerly Gary, SD, will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 2, 2010, at Birk Funeral Home in Hendricks, MN.  Joe Hobbs will officiate.  Music will be provided by Betty Knutson as organist with congregational singing.  Ann passed away on Tuesday, September 28, 2010, at a care center in Mitchell. 

     Burial will be at Grandview Cemetery in Gary, SD.  Pallbearers will be: Bob Nelson, Tabb McCluskey, Kenny Hansen, Larry Knutson, and Ron Freeseman.

    Visitation will be at Birk Funeral Home on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. and prior to services at the funeral home on Saturday.  The family is requested to meet at the funeral home on Saturday by 9:30 a.m. to attend services.

     Arrangements are being handled by Crawford Funeral Chapel of Watertown, SD.

     Ann was born on October 28, 1924, at Apison, TN, to Charlie and Tennie (Smith) Knauff.  She graduated from the University of Chattanooga with a degree in Home Economics and spent many years teaching the subject in several schools in both Tennessee and later in South Dakota.

     On June 8, 1968, Ann married Luther Lentz, of Gary, SD, at Apison, TN.  The couple moved to Deuel County, SD, where they lived and enjoyed the beauty of their farm.  They relocated to Mitchell in 2006 to be closer to their son and his family. 

     She was a devout Christian and greatly enjoyed practicing her faith until the effects of Alzheimer’s took even that privilege away from her.  Ann loved cooking, sewing, and home decorating, and was involved in several ladies' clubs  throughout the years.

     Ann is survived by her husband, Luther, one son, John (Heather) Lentz, and three grandchildren: Grace, Autumn, and Jack all of Mitchell, SD; one niece, Barbara Lee (Judy) Trimble, of Apison, TN; and one nephew, Jimmy Knauff, of Collegedale, TN.

     She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Hugh and Allen; and one nephew, Sheldon Lokken.