Lucille E. Mentzer

Lucille Elizabeth Mentzer, age 86, of Early, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2003, at Loring Hospital in Sac City, Iowa.

Lucille was born on October 20, 1916, at Breda, Iowa, the daughter of John J. and Lottie Louise (Ricke) Coon. She grew up on the farm near Early, attended Boyer Valley Country School, and Early High School. She was baptized October 22, 1916, in Breda and was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early, where she was a member of the Guild and spent many years of being a Sacristan and Eucharistic Minister.

On January 30, 1940, Lucille was united in holy marriage to Russell P. Mentzer, in Early, IA. They were blessed with four children: Ralph, Marlene, Marvin, and Michael.
She was a loving wife and homemaker and also worked outside the home as a school cook at Schaller/Crestland and Sacred Heart Schools, of Early, and was a green house worker, until her retirement in 1988 at the age of 72.

She loved gardening, playing cards, crocheting, and baking bread. Her home made bread and jam were shared with many. She was also an active member of the Early Women’s Club, Nemaha Garden Club, delivered “meals on wheels” many times, was a blood bank volunteer, and also volunteered at the soup kitchen in Sioux City. She will be missed by many.

Lucille is survived by her son Ralph J. Mentzer and his wife Maureen of Dike, IA; and her daughter Marlene A. Mentzer at Robins, IA; her grandchildren: Mark, Jeff, Jana, and Matt Mentzer; great-grandchildren: Samantha Christine, Emily Allison, Joshua, Nathan, and Isabelle; her sister Loreen (Mrs. Willis) Wells of Storm Lake, IA, and extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Russell; two sons: Marvin R. and Michael J. Mentzer; and a brother Leonard Coon.

Funeral services for Lucille E. Mentzer, age 86, of Early, Iowa, will be Thursday, October 16, 2003, 10:30 am, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early, with Father Patrick O’Kane officiating. Music is provided by the Sacred Heart Choir, Anita Coon, soloist, and Bernadine Pickhinke at the organ. Honorary pallbearers include: Monica Smith, Marian Drey, Bernice Christensen, Mildred Wright, Mary Ann Gard, and June Reis. Pallbearers are the following: David Mentzer, Joe Wadsley, Dennis Schmitt, Jay Coon, Jeff Mentzer, and Craig Wells. Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Early. Arrangements by Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 15, 2003, 4:30 – 8:00 pm, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early, with a wake service at 7:00.