Genevieve M. Lenhard

Genevieve M. Lenhard, age 97, of Litchfield died on Sunday, June 16, 2013, at the Emmanuel Home in Litchfield. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 20, 2013, at the St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church. Military Honors will be provided by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. Interment will be in the Lake Ripley Cemetery. Genevieve ""Gen"" Marie Lenhard, the daughter of Margaret Desens, was born on June 30, 1915, in Meeker County, Minnesota. She grew up and attended school in Litchfield, graduating from Litchfield High School in 1933. She went to Minneapolis Business College in 1938. She joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1943, and served for 3 years. In 1946, she married Owen Locke. That marriage was dissolved in 1951. She lived in Riverside, California and worked as a long distance telephone operator until 1962, when she was married to Herbert Lenhard and moved back to Litchfield. Gen became active in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Bethesda Circle and Bible classes. She was also active in the American Cancer Society for 25 years, served as Superintendent of the flower department at the Meeker County Fair for 25 years. She a member of the Litchfield Garden Club where she was a Master Gardener, the Extension Club, the American Legion, the Legion Auxiliary and the Navy Club. She helped at the Natural Food Coop. She enjoyed being active in family and did many crafts including, rug braiding, painting, ceramics and quilting. She also enjoyed visiting nursing homes and helping others. Gen also enjoyed making a home for nine Vicars who served at St. Paul's and taking care of flowers for St. Paul's for 39 years. Gen is survived by her cousins, Anna Mae (and Marlow) Wigen of Litchfield, Darlene (and Karl) Lundin of Litchfield, Marlyn (and Helen) Desens of St. Louis Park, Paul (and LaVern) Desens of Nisswa, and Richard (and Dorothy) Desens of Hutchinson. She is also survived by Dorothy Desens of Litchfield. She was preceded in death by her mother, husband, Herbert and cousins. Memorials to St. Paul's Lutheran Church are preferred. Previous Events Visitation Thursday, June 20, 2013 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM St. Paul's Lutheran Church 227 South Ramsey Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Thursday, June 20, 2013 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church 227 South Ramsey Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Thursday, June 20, 2013 2:45 PM Riplely Cemetery 316 Sibley Avenue South Litchfield, MN 55355