Obituaries : Inez Mae Lensch

CEDAR RAPIDS: Inez Mae Lensch, of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, April 13, 2017. Visitation will be from 4 PM - 7 PM, Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, located at 1000 Third Avenue SE; a celebration of life service will also be held there at 11 AM, Wednesday, April 19, 2017, interment will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements. Inez was born April 11, 1942, in Atkins, Iowa, the daughter of Harvey and Ella (Rinderknecht) Krug. She graduated from Iowa State University in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in teaching and home economics. She was united in marriage with David Lensch at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Atkins on August 24, 1963. Inez was a dedicated wife, mother, teacher, friend and disciple and touched many peoples' lives throughout her life. Deep friendships and a strong faith in God developed as she and Dave were led to first Fort Wayne and Brownsburg, Indiana, followed by 23 years in Wausau, Wisconsin, with a return to Cedar Rapids in 1999. Inez taught preschool and became a director over a 31-year vocation, beginning at Pilgrim Christian Preschool in Wausau, Wisconsin, and continuing to teach at Little Lambs Christian Preschool in Hiawatha. She had a true gift relating to children and a passion for introducing them to Jesus. She is fondly remembered for her Mother Goose story times, which continued even after her retirement. Inez truly believed in living her faith, which was reflected in the many activities and roles she took on within and outside of the church. She served on the Altar Guild and was a member of the choir and a Stephen's Minister at Zion Lutheran Church in Wausau, Wisconsin. She was an usher and communion assistant at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as well as a member of Renovare and Bible study groups. Her interdenominational commitments throughout the years were with Christian Women's Club and Bible Study Fellowship. Throughout her life, Inez was an accomplished seamstress, quilter and baker. She enjoyed discovering new recipes and sharing them on many occasions amongst friends and family. She often travelled to spend time with her daughters and loved to entertain visiting grandchildren. One of the things she most enjoyed upon returning to Cedar Rapids was participating in family outings with siblings, aunts and cousins, especially the Double Dribbles! In 2013, Inez helped to found the Cedar Rapids support group for Multiple Myeloma and was its first leader. Survivors include her husband, David; daughters Lori (Michel) Marcotte of Gatineau, Quebec, and Kristin (Timothy) Huebner, of Memphis, Tennessee; grandchildren Tristan, Sebastien and Renaud Marcotte and Sloan and Charles Huebner; sisters Karen (Paul) Nielsen, Audrey (David) Glasgow, and brother Everett (Krista) Krug. She was preceded in death by her parents Harvey and Ella Krug. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church, 1000 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52405. Please share a memory of Inez at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.