Elizabeth L. "Bette" Lentz

Elizabeth Bails Lentz, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died peacefully on July 15, 2014 in East Lansing, MI.  A long-time resident of Denver and Colorado, “Bette,” as she was known, graduated from South High School in 1936 and Stephens College (MO) in 1938, where she earned an associate’s degree in journalism and had the opportunity to interview Amelia Earhart.

Bette excelled as a freelance market research interviewer and worked on such important projects as the 1960 Census of Population and early CBS News polling for the 1968 presidential election.  She was also an entrepreneur and started two small boutiques, the Nuthatch and the Corner Broker.

Bette made the lives of others richer with her devoted leadership as Chairwoman of Public Relations for the Denver Region for the Girl Scouts, Committeewoman for the Republican Party, a member of the altar guild at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. She was an active participant in the League of Women Voters, the Reserve Officers Association Ladies, the Stephens Alumnae Club, the P.T.A. and in later years, in the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Bette was born Elizabeth Lee Bails in 1918 to Ernest Roscoe Bails and Rachel Lee Bails, in York Township, Clark County, IL.  She married the late Jerome H. Lentz in 1941, a former vice president for the Denver Fire Clay Company.  She had three children, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Bette is survived by her sister, Mary Alice Stoffel of Evergreen, CO; her children, Sue LeDuc of Michigan, Sally Palmer and her husband Michael of Wyoming, and Bernard “Barney” Lentz and his wife Carol of Pennsylvania; her grandchildren, Laura LeDuc, Alex LeDuc (Caroline), Shawn Palmer, Kristy Palmer (Ian Abernethy), Corina Khettry (Neil), and Jesse Lentz (Susan); five great-grandchildren; loyal nieces and nephews; and by her beloved friends.

A memorial celebration for Bette Lentz will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at Washington Park U.C.C., 400 S. Williams Street, Denver, CO.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Lansing, Michigan. For additional information contact Bernard.Lentz@yahoo.com

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6 Messages to “Elizabeth L. "Bette" Lentz

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Sally Lentz Palmer
July 15, 2014 at 4:41 pm

Mom,
You gave us creativity and willingness to go forth into a very complicated world. Thank you. Most especially, we all thank Sue for being “there for you” in the many challenges of change, but especially this one. Love you, Sal

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Marilyn Maloney
July 16, 2014 at 11:07 am

With deepest sympathy and many prayers. May God’s perpetual light shine upon her.

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Mark and Nancy Rudd
July 16, 2014 at 12:36 pm

You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

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Sandra Rudolph Ackler
July 17, 2014 at 2:12 pm

Dear Sally, Susan and Barney,
I will never forget your mother. Bette Lentz was a force of nature and features in some of my favorite anecdotes of my childhood. I hope you are all well and happy. I live in a wonderful condo in Center City Philadelphia and life is good.
Best wishes,
Sandy

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Pam Rudolph Howlett
July 17, 2014 at 4:07 pm

Dear Susan, Sally and Barney,
Your mother was our mom’s best friend for many, many years and helped her through the worst time of her life. I will always love her for that and always buying Girl Scout Cookies from me.
I hope you are all well and happy. (Yes, I did copy from my sister)
We live in Heather Gardens in Aurora and life is good for us.
Blessings,
Pam

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Bernard (Barney) Lentz
July 18, 2014 at 9:27 am

Thanks for the sympathy and kind words to all of you who post on this guestbook. If you would like to have additional communication with members of our family, please send a brief e-mail to the following e-mail address:

bernard.lentz@yahoo.com

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