Richard Edward Lenarz

Lenarz, Richard (Dick)

Age 88, passed away on June 5, 2024. Preceding Dick in death were his parents, Ed and Beatrice Lenarz.

Dick is survived by his lovely wife of 64 years Arlene and their 4 adult children(spouses) – Brad (Nancy) Lenarz of Orlando, Kari(Mike) Grubisch of Chaska, Gayle(Duane) Kolsrud of  Maple Grove, and Amy(John) Rourke of Maple Grove.

Preceding Dick in death were his infant daughter Kim, brothers Robert, Monte and Melvin as well as his sisters, Darlene Wagner, Carmalene Lenarz, Carol Johannson, and Jeanette Lenarz.  Dick is survived by his sister Joyce Fish.

Dick, also known as Papa to his 7 grandchildren, which includes Katie (Grubisch) Paschke, Chris Lenarz, Michael Lenarz, Kathleen (Lenarz) Gammons, Brett Lenarz, Jack Kolsrud, Max Kolsrud and a step granddaughter, Lindsay(Rourke) Nelson.  He also has 3 great grandchildren Gianna & Gabriel Gammons, Noah Lenarz, plus 2 step great grandchildren, Stella & Summit Nelson.  Dick was also a beloved uncle to so many nieces and nephews.

Dick had an incredible zest for life. He made community involvement and volunteerism a way of life.  He graduated from Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, MN, volunteered for the Army and was stationed in Germany for 3 years.  He later attended St. Cloud State University. 

Dick was very active in the New Hope/Plymouth area- he was president of Sunny Hollow School PTA, served on the church counsel at St. Joseph Parish in New Hope, served as president of New Hope/Plymouth Athletic Association while coaching numerous youth teams, and was a charter member of the Armstrong High School football boosters club.

For many years, Dick was a member of the New Hope Lions, Knights of Columbus, and delivered food for the Meals on Wheels program.

His love of sports wasn't just at the youth level. He loved the professional sports scene in Minnesota as a lifelong season ticketholder for the Vikings and a periodic season ticketholder for the Timberwolves.  He was an avid supporter of Minnesota Gopher sports, securing season tickets for football, basketball and hockey over the past 4 decades.

In recent years, Dick and Arlene spent a fair amount of their retirement years in Orlando, Florida area enjoying the weather and following the grandkids in their own sports endeavors.

Dick lived by a few simple principles in life- the 4 F's - Faith, Family, Fun & Football.

He often commented he "never met a stranger, a stranger was just a friend he hadn't met yet".

Dick will be missed beyond measure!!  His kind and gentle ways, his compassion, his incredible sense of humor, and a smile that could light up a room from miles away. We will miss you and we will never forget you!

Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at the Parish Community of St. Joseph, 8701 36^th Ave N., New Hope.  Visitation at church one hour before Mass.  Private entombment Gethsemane Mausoleum

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to PRISM of Golden Valley, MN at https://prismmpls.org/.