Alfred Bernard “Bernie” Lentz

1934 ~ 2016

Bernie was born May 21, 1934 to Heinrich and Holdina (Fuerst) Lentz on the farm in Green Bay, MB.  He passed away peacefully June 12, 2016 at East Gate Lodge in Beausejour, MB at the age of 82 years young.

He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Richard, his sister Helen, brother in-law Alfred and his first wife Sharon.

He is survived by his wife Barb, daughter Jennifer, son in-law Walter and granddaughter Katyryna, sister in-law Evelyn as well as Barb’s siblings and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bernie grew up on the farm, working hard and playing equally hard.  He taught himself to play guitar and accordion and often provided the music at parties.  He loved gardening, but knew he didn’t want to be a farmer, so he moved into Beausejour and started painting houses.  If you owned a house in Beausejour in the 60’s and 70’s chances are Bernie painted it.  When painting was no longer feasible, Bernie moved on to other endeavours, finally landing as custodian at the elementary school.  He enjoyed the children immensely and would hand out candy canes to them at Christmas time!  He quite happily retired in 1999, prepared to enjoy the next season of his life.

Over the years, Bernie and Co. travelled as much as they could, enjoying trips to Graham Lake, Florida, Hawaii, BC, Minnesota, Alberta and the East Coast.  Bernie was immensely proud of Jennifer and when she decided to move all over the country on her own grand adventure, he and Barb packed up the car and went on their own adventures to find her!  He enjoyed all his travels and often wished he could have done more.

Barb and Jennifer were the lights of his life until Little Miss Katy arrived on the scene.  From the moment she was first laid in his arms, he was absolutely smitten.  He would take his little photo album of her around the care home with him and show her off to anyone who would take the time to look.  When they were together, it was so special to watch.  She included him in her play and didn’t shy away because of his wheelchair or his tremors.  He was her Grandpa, and she loved him and that’s all that mattered to her.

Bernie had many hobbies and interests.  In his younger years, he was a pretty good competitive bowler, and was proficient on the accordion.  He could also throw together a dress for one of his girls on the sewing machine fairly quickly and with some panache too.  He could crochet as well-he blamed having an older sister for that skill!  He dabbled in wood working and spent many hours working on little projects that he often gifted to family and friends.  Once his hands were too unsteady for wood working, he tried his hand at cross stitching, completing several beautiful projects before the tremors halted that activity too.  In recent years, he reconnected with his love of music and would often sit and play his guitar.

Family meant so much to Bernie.  He loved it when the entire Lentz family was together for a get together.  Laughter was the general rule at one of these gatherings as all of them have a pretty sharp sense of humor!  He also enjoyed reconnecting with all of his cousins at any gathering involving the extended Fuerst family.  Remaining connected with friends was important too.  Many an evening was spent playing card games with friends and family.

The last several years of deteriorating health have been particularly difficult for Bernie as well as the rest of the family.  Enormous thanks to the staff at East Gate Lodge for all the care given to Bernie.  We know he wasn’t always the easiest resident to deal with, but we certainly appreciate all the efforts made to help him and us through it all.  Thank you so very much for everything.  Thank you to all who took the time to visit Bernie once he moved into East Gate.  Those visits were the highlight of his week.

Also thanks to Charlotte and Ed Dubray for all the visits with Bernie and support given to Barb, Jennifer and Walter.  We are so very grateful that you are in our lives.

Funeral Service will be held on Friday, June 17 at 10:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 403 First Street N., Beausejour.  Interment will follow in Zion Lutheran Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Society, the Heart & Stroke Foundation or a charity of one’s choice.

Your battle is done,

you can rest now.

We will see you again…

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