Funeral services for Luther John Lentz, age 87, of Mitchell, SD, formerly Gary, SD, will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 10, 2010, at Birk Funeral Home in Hendricks, MN.  Officiating will be Joe Hobbs and Gayle Motley.  Music will be provided by Betty Knutson as organist. Luther passed away on Saturday, November 6, 2010, at a care center in Mitchell, SD.

     Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery, Gary, SD.  Pallbearers will be:  Jamie Bauman, Darald Bauman, Wes Bingham, Jamie Lokken, Jeff Lokken, and Dennis Nosbush. 

     Visitation will be at Birk Funeral Home in Hendricks, MN, on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday at the funeral home prior to the services. Arrangements are being handled by the Crawford Funeral Chapel of Watertown, SD.

     Luther was born on August 9, 1923, in Gary, SD, to John and Martha (Christopher) Lentz.  He grew up in several rural residences in South Dakota and Minnesota.  Luther enjoyed many outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, trapping, and especially farming and raising livestock.

     Luther enjoyed a life long career as a farmer in Minnesota and South Dakota.  He eventually purchased a farm in Deuel County, SD, near Lake Cochrane.  Luther and his family raised corn, wheat, oats, alfalfa, soybeans, hogs, beef cattle, and operated a dairy for many years.  In 1968, Luther married Anna Lou Knauff from Apison, TN.  Together, the couple raised a son who was born on November 6, 1970.  Ironically, Luther passed away exactly forty years after his son’s birth.  Luther often referred to his son’s birth as one of the happiest days of his life.

     Luther was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  He remained very active until his early 80’s; helping out on the family farm, hunting, fishing, enjoying the natural beauty of the area, and spending time with his family.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters and grandson, Jack Luther, who was named for his great-grandfather and grandfather.

     In 2006, due to ill health, Luther and Ann relocated to Mitchell, SD, to be closer to their son and his family.  Luther was a lifelong devoted Christian as was evident by those who knew him and witnessed firsthand his love, gentleness, meekness, patience, and faith.

     He will be greatly missed by his son, John (Heather) Lentz, of Mitchell, SD, and his three grandchildren: Grace, Autumn, and Jack.

     Luther was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Lou, on September 28, 2010; his parents; two sisters, Viola Lentz and Ruby Lokken; and one nephew, Sheldon Lokken.