Shirley L. Lenz

Shirley L. Lenz, 88, of Garner, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 25, 2026 after a heroic battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 30th at Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner with Rev. Brian Lund officiating. Burial will be at Peace Reformed Church Cemetery south of Garner.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. 4th St., Garner and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Shirley was born January 25, 1938 to parents Ronald and Emma (Kothenbeutel) Barz in Hampton, Iowa. She graduated from Klemme High School in 1956 and married her husband of 59 years, Garold Lenz. Shirley and Gary farmed south of Garner until Gary’s passing in 2016. They enjoyed their years together traveling and enjoying their home in Clear Lake. In addition to helping on the farm, Shirley also worked in the Hancock County Treasurer’s Office for 35 years. It was a career she loved and where she made lifelong friends.

Shirley lived a full and happy life. She was always there for her family and friends and loved nothing more than spending time with them. She was an active member of Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner, Iowa and was thankful for the fellowship she found there. She was truly a special woman and a bright light in the lives of so many. Her love, kindness and beautiful spirit touched countless hearts. She will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.

Shirley is survived by and will be greatly missed by her children, Steven (Janet) Lenz of Garner and Sue (David) Daellenbach of Henderson, Nevada; grandchildren, Holly (Dave) Forshee of Delphos, Kansas, Taryn Williamson and Alison (Dave) Heuer of Johannesburg, South Africa; her sister, Jean (Dan) Larsen of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas; and niece, Stephanie (Keith) Dirks of Platteville, Wisconsin. She was also blessed with 11 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary, Feb. 7, 2016; and her parents.