Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at the church, concluding with a 7:00 p.m. vigil service.

John Michael Lentsch was born in Webster, South Dakota, on May 25, 1943, John was the son of John A. and Clara (Janisch) Lentsch. He married Karen Hanson on September 25, 1965, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Mound, Minnesota.

John was a proud veteran, serving as a paratrooper in the 173rd Airborne Division and the 11th Air Assault in Southeast Asia. Despite having only an eighth-grade education, John’s drive and discipline from his early years shaped his life. He instilled in his sons the values of faith, family, education, hard work, and patriotism.

Family and farming were John’s greatest joys. After working as a skilled tradesman at John Deere in Waterloo, Iowa, for over 20 years, John and Karen fulfilled their dream of owning a farm. They moved their young family to Hillhead, South Dakota, where they built and maintained a successful dairy farm through hard work and perseverance.

Following Karen’s passing in 2010, John married Janet Marlow of Marlow, South Dakota. Together, they enjoyed the peace and comfort of life on the farm.

John passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, December 10, 2024, at his home in Hillhead, SD. He was 81 years old.

John is survived by his wife, Janet (Marlow) Lentsch of Hillhead, SD; his four sons: Michael (Diane) Lentsch of Hillhead, SD, Matthew (Tina) Lentsch of Farmington, MN, Lucas Lentsch of Chesterfield, MO (Laura of Farmington, MN), and Ivan (Lori) Lentsch of Omaha, NE; 12 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; his brothers, Peter (Loretta) Lentsch of Waconia, MN, and Al (Sharen) Lentsch of Goffstown, NH; his sisters: Philomena Dolney of Owatonna, MN, Mary Fleming of Grand Haven, MI, Margaret (Ron) Reid of Bella Vista, AR, Ann Ettlin of Webster, MN, Victoria Scheetz of Plainfield, IL, and Julie (David) Olson of Stillwater, MN; brothers-inlaw Bruce Hanson of Mound, MN, and Melvin (Marsha) Hanson of Norwood, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Karen (Hanson) Lentsch; his siblings Herbert Lentsch, Agnes Kadrlik, Dorothy Rumpza, F.J. “Ole” Lentsch; and a brother in infancy.

Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Mike Lentsch – 10641 438th Ave. – Veblen, SD 57270.

An online guestbook and obituary are available at www. olsonfuneralchapel.com