Freida A. Lentz, 99, of Barron, passed away Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System – Northland.

She was born on January 7th, 1925 at home in the town of Dallas, to Ernest and Amelia (Kallenbach) Nitz. She grew up on a farm between Ridgeland and Prairie Farm.

She married Willard Lentz on May 3rd, 1947 in Pine City, Minnesota.

Freida and Willard farmed for 37 years north of Ridgeland, on Highway 25. Their farm was always known to be in very pristine condition as was their home.

She was the church pianist and choir director at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church north of Ridgeland for 39 years, a member of the American Legion in Ridgeland, and worked at Jerome Foods for ten years.

Willard and Freida sold their farm in 1984 and moved to Barron, where she lived until the time of her death. She worked at the Nutrition Kitchen Meals on Wheels and also worked many years at the Knot Shoppe for the Day Development Center.

She became a member of Salem Lutheran Church on March 5th, 1995, and joined the church choir, altar guild, and kitchen staff for serving at funerals.

Willard and Freida enjoyed many years of hosting and attending card parties with close family and friends. Freida was a very accomplished pianist and accordion player and her family has very fond memories of singing along while she played at family gatherings.

Surviving are son, Randy (Sarah) Forehand; grandchildren, Mary Ann Thompson, Mark (Cheryl) Forehand, Lisa (Alan) Thompson, and Lonnie (Dawn) Forehand; numerous great, great-great, and bonus grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Rich (Marlene) Snyder, Larry (Judy) Lentz, Bob Lentz, Don (Kay) Lentz and Richard (Sue) Lentz.

Freida was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 55 years, who passed in 2002; sisters and brother-in-laws, Vi (Paul) Meisenger & Vi’s first husband, Lyard Snyder and Eudora (Carston) Norelius; as well as grandson-in-law, Bobby Thompson.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 10th at 11:00 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Barron. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday morning. Burial will be at Wayside Cemetery in Barron.

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron.

Last Update: Oct 10, 2024 1:17 pm CDT