James Stuart Lenz Age 80, of Cameron, WI, died Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at Our House Memory Care, Rice Lake, WI.

He was born on December 11, 1943 to Cecil H. Lenz and Mildred S. (Wahl) Lenz in St. Paul, Minnesota. Jim graduated from North St. Paul High School in 1961. Jim served in the US Navy from June 1961 through December 1964 aboard the USS Tattnall DDG-19 stationed out of Charleston, South Carolina. He was a Fire Control Technician (FTG2). Jim was a member of the American Legion Post 540, Haugen. Jim met Marybell Ryder at the Withrow Dance Hall in fall of 1964 and they married on October 23, 1965. They recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary at Our Lady of Lourdes church. Jim was a Systems Engineer for Sperry Univac from May 1966 - May 1977 and worked on some of the early computers.

After moving to Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Jim taught Cable TV, Electronics, and Computers for Northwoods Technical College (formerly WITC) until his retirement in May of 2000. Jim was a school bus driver and small business owner (radio & tv repair and installing TV towers). Jim loved building things including their home (the Dobie House) on the Red Cedar River that they called home for over 40 years. One of Jim’s happy places was in his shop. He created beautiful wood pictures (Intarsia), made many pieces of furniture, wood turned bowls, ornaments, and more. Jim loved being outside especially by the Red Cedar River in front of their house, and spending time at The Woods. Jim was a long time member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, a member of the choir, led the youth group, taught confirmation and was involved as a 4-H volunteer for the Marquette Pacemakers with his children.

Jim is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marybell (Ryder) Lenz; four children: Jean (Lenz) Anderson (Craig); Thomas Lenz (Diane), Angela (Lenz) Mazurek (Jerry); Karrie (Lenz) Groothousen (Arnold); Eleven grandchildren: Brandon, Brian, Brady (Emily), Zack, Rachel (Dusty), TJ, Adam, Laura (Dan), Peter (Mikayla), Joel, Patrick (Sam); Two great-grandchildren: Tobiah and Lainey; Siblings: Jerry Lenz, Marlene Zuch, Mike Lenz (Cindy); many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, co workers and neighbors Preceded in death by parents, Cecil and Mildred Lenz, and sister Joan (Lenz) Brown and brother-in-law Larry Brown, and many beloved pets, especially Opie.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM Monday, December 2, 2024 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Dobie, WI, Father Adam Laski officiating, with interment in the church cemetery, where Military Rites will be accorded him by the Haugen American Legion Post. Visitation will be held from 9AM-11AM Monday at the church. Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, WI is assisting and serving the family with the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Northwoods Technical College Foundation, Knights of Columbus, or hug a dog and plant a tree in his memory.

Last Update: Nov 29, 2024 9:33 am CST