Linda Kay Lentz

With full hearts and joyful memories, we celebrate the life of Linda Kay Miller Lentz, who passed away on May 9, 2025, at the age of 74 in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Born on June 27, 1950, in Oshkosh, Linda lived a vibrant life filled with faith, love, laughter, and purpose.

Linda was the beloved wife of William Lentz, with whom she recently celebrated 50 years of marriage on June 22, 2024. Together, they built a beautiful life centered around their shared faith, enduring love, and their greatest joy: their family. She was the proud and loving mother of Abby (Lentz) Bartel (married to Jake Bartel), Austin Lentz, and Adler Lentz (married to Challen Brill), and the adoring grandmother of Eve, Charlie, and Oliver Bartel, and Norris and Otto Lentz. She also leaves behind her beloved granddog, Mistletoe (“Toes”) Lentz. Linda was preceded in death by her deeply cherished parents, Reynold “Ron” Miller and Edith (Kinsler) Miller. Her bond with her father was especially profound—his strength and steadfast faith were guiding lights throughout her life, and her family rejoices knowing they are reunited in heaven.

A woman of unshakable Christian faith, Linda lived to serve others. She was passionate about ministering to those in need, including those who were incarcerated, always sharing hope, compassion, and God’s love. Her spirituality wasn’t just a part of her life—it was the heart of everything she did.

Education was Linda’s calling and her gift. Inspired by her father’s legacy as a school principal, Linda dedicated her career to uplifting children, especially those most in need. After graduating from Custer High School in 1968, she earned a degree in Exceptional Education for Cognitive Disabilities from UW-Milwaukee in 1973, and later returned to school to earn her Master’s in At-Risk Education from Marian University in 2009. She served as Principal of Country Christian School in Oconomowoc and Nashotah from 1990 to 1994 and spent the past 30 years as an Exceptional Education Teacher at Rogers Memorial Hospital, touching countless young lives with her patience, wisdom, and love.

Linda radiated joy. She was a dreamer who embraced life’s beauty and adventure. As a gifted first chair alto saxophonist with the Continental Youth Band, she toured Europe in the 1960s—an experience that sparked a lifelong love of travel. One of her family’s most treasured memories is a two-week European tour they took together in honor of her 25th wedding anniversary. She also cherished her heritage, nurturing relationships with cousins in Germany, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan, and proudly honoring the traditions of her ancestry.

Fiercely loving and endlessly creative, Linda’s greatest joy was her family. Her children and grandchildren meant everything to her, and she never missed a chance to show them how deeply they were loved. Her boundless spirit, infectious laugh, and compassionate heart left an indelible mark on everyone lucky enough to know her.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at the Oconomowoc Community Center (220 W Wisconsin Ave, Oconomowoc, WI 53066) with a visitation from 10:00am-12:00pm and a service to follow. The family invites you to join them for a reception after the service. All who knew and loved Linda are warmly invited to join in remembering and rejoicing in the extraordinary life she lived.

Linda’s life was a song of joy, service, and love. Now reunited in heaven with her dear parents, her melody continues in the hearts of those she touched.