Donald "Donnie" Lenarz

Donald W. “Donnie” Lenarz, age 94 of Elrosa, passed away Sunday, February 18, 2024 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 21 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa with Rev. Mark Botzet officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church in Elrosa. A rosary will be prayed at 4 p.m. and parish prayers at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Donald William Lenarz was born on March 16, 1929 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to John and Anna (Mooge) Lenarz. Donnie grew up farming south of Elrosa. He was united in marriage to Agnes Derichs on June 4, 1962 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa. Donnie was a life long resident of the Elrosa area. He worked at DHIA in Sauk Centre for many years before retiring in 1994. He then began working at Bayer Gas and Grocery in Elrosa, working another 28 years, and was currently employed until he passed away. Donnie enjoyed cutting lawn and taking care of the Elrosa Baseball Club, driving around on his golf cart, and collecting aluminum cans.

Donnie was a member of the Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Catholic Order of Foresters, Catholic United Financial, Elrosa Commercial Club, and a fireman with the Elrosa Fire Department for over 30 years.

Survivors include his sons, Steve (Lisa) Lenarz and Scott “Scooter” Lenarz all of Elrosa; four grandchildren, Cody, Brady, Riley, and Casey; and sisters-in-law, Rhea “Cookie” Derichs of Watkins and Dorothy Kemper of Fargo. 

Don was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Agnes Lenarz on October 29, 2002; other family members, Audrey (Harold) Derichs, Julia (Anton) Hoelker, Ralph (Rose) Derichs, Robert (Jan) Derichs, Roman Derichs, Rosie (Dennis) Rooney, Ray Kemper, Gilbert Derichs, Lorraine (Norbert) Hiltner, and Marion (Leonard) Hoelker; and infant brother-in-law, Jerome Derichs.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.