GOSHEN —

NAPPANEE — Barbara Jane "Barb" Lentz, 76, passed away peacefully Saturday. She completed her long goodbye by courageously surrendering to a decade-long bout with Alzheimer’s disease. She had been surrounded by her close family just prior to going to her rest. Her death occurred at Miller’s Merry Manor, where she resided since Jan. 15.

She was born Barbara Jane Lowe Jan. 4, 1934. She entered this world at her family home in Des Plaines, Ill., to parents Harry Frank and Cecilia Maude (Leake) Lowe.

Her young school years were spent in Des Plaines. In 1942, she moved with her family to Chevy Chase, Md., where her father had been summoned to served on the War Production Board in Washington, D.C., during World War II. One of her indelible remembrances of that time was of quietly standing on the sidewalk with her father in the Capitol one afternoon, where she heard and observed the horsedrawn funeral procession of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

After the war, her family moved back to Des Plaines. There she attended and graduated from Maine Township High School. She had taken piano lessons from first through the 10th grade and combined with her natural musical ability, became quite an accomplished player. In high school, she was selected to serve on the student council and was a member of the National Honor Society. She was also a member of the school’s precision Aquatic Swim Team.

She chose to attend Indiana University even though she had never visited the school. After her freshmen year, the family spent the summer in Hawaii, where she learned the native dance of the islands. She pledged Pi Beta Phi sorority in her sophomore year and was elected to join the school’s Alpha Lambda Delta honorary. In 1953, she appeared in Hawaiian dress as Miss October in the University’s Crimson Bull" calendar. She would often be asked to play the piano or dance for various fraternity-sorority social functions on the campus. She could immediately play by ear the fight songs of all the Big 10 schools in rapid succession. For this, she always received much appreciation from the attending students. She graduated in 1955 with a bachelor of arts degree in English Literature.

Just one week after graduation, she married Jerry Lentz in Des Plaines. They had dated since their sophomore year in college. While her husband completed his schooling in Indianapolis, she worked as office manager for Allen Real Estate.

When the family moved to Nappanee, she became a stay-at-home mom and a very active volunteer in her children’s schools and community. She always had time for people. She was a children’s Sunday school teacher and was active as a group leader with the Cub Scouts and Camp Fire Girls. After her family was raised, she worked for several years with Oaklawn Services in Elkhart. In the 1990s, she was co-owner of Hen Haus Antiques in Nappanee.

Above all, Barb loved her family. She was a loving wife, the best of moms and very much doted on her grandchildren. She was always faithful and loyal to those who were her friends. She loved reading, music, antiquing, playing bridge, dancing and camping. She truly was one of the best of God’s children to those who knew her!

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Jerry Lentz and their four children, Stephen (Leigh Ann) Lentz, Aliso Viejo, Calif., Susan (Steve) Wagoner, Oakton, Va., David (Andrea) Lentz, West Chester, Ohio, and Karen (Dave) McClellan, Aurora, Ohio. She leaves behind nine grandchildren, Sarah, Mary, Kelsey, Jeffrey, Kevin, Andrew, Kyle, Katie and Megan. Also surviving are a sister, Maryjeanne Lowe Jennison; and a brother, Richard Lowe.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Donna Lowe Thompson.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Thompson-Lengacher and Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, where funeral services will take place Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Officiating will be her son-in-law, the Rev. Dave McClellan assisted by the Rev. Janet McFall-Brown.

Burial will be in South Union Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Online condolences may be sent to www.tlyfh.com.