Enith Lenz

Enith Lenz, 89, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2019.  In her last few days here on earth, she was surrounded in love by her nine living children, family, and friends. They came to pay tribute to the wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, and friend that she was to each one of them.  Just like the days of sitting around her kitchen table drinking coffee, telling stories, joking, and laughing, her family came to be with her one more time to honor her special place in their lives. Enie, as she was lovingly called, was a blessing to all who knew her.

Born on February 13, 1930 in Shannon City, Iowa, to Fred and Helen Hoffman, she was the fifth child in a family of seven.  Growing up she developed a deep bond with her two sisters, Grace Boughton and Rosie Cheyney, that will never end.

Enie met Marvin Lenz in Valley City, North Dakota, and they were married in 1947.  Working and living on a farm they didn’t wait long to start a family. In 1955, with their four young children, Marvin and Enie moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  Over the years, their family grew with the addition of seven more children.  Enie’s life was dedicated to raising her kids and helping with her grandchildren. She even managed to squeeze in working for Dr. Morris and Dr. Jaeger for seventeen years supporting her family. Marvin and Enie’s legacy include eleven children, thirty grandchildren, seventy-three great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.  Enie’s family was the cornerstone of her life.

Enie was no stranger to loss.  As a young girl of seven, her mother passed away and her father was away from home often.  Two of her brothers, Kenny and Frankie, passed away unexpectedly at a young age.  She lost her son, Robert, at age 15 in a tragic accident and her husband, Marvin, died of cancer when he was 51.  Even with so much tragedy in her life, she remained strong and resilient with a great attitude.  Her Catholic faith and her love for family supported her throughout her life.  Although dementia would take her memory in her later years, she never lost her positive and friendly spirit.

Mom had a “revolving door” in her home as friends and family would come and go. No one ever left her house hungry or with empty pockets. Enie drew people to her with her love, humor, and down to earth conversation.  You never needed to wonder about Mom’s opinion as she didn’t mince words when she didn’t agree with you or thought you needed to straighten up.  Her home was constantly filled with family and friends enjoying a hot cup of coffee, a sweet treat, and lots of laughter.

Enie was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Lenz; sons, Robert and Larry; parents, Fred and Helen; and brothers, Dean, Kenny, and Frankie; and numerous in-laws.

She is survived by her loving children, Jeff (Gail) Lenz, Diana (Norman) Sperle,  Scott (Jane) Lenz, Pat (Erin)

Lenz, Mary (Mark) Castle, Fred (Denise) Lenz, Yvonne (Dave) Palmer, Joe (Dawna) Lenz, and Elizabeth (Kevin) Schmeckpeper; many grandchildren, nieces and nephews; siblings, Grace Boughton, Rosie (Frank) Cheyney, and Robert (Pat) Hoffman; and in-laws, Cliff and Darlene Lenz and Lola Hoffman.

A special thank you to Guardian Angel Homes and the wonderful, dedicated caretakers who became a part of our family during Enie’s later years.  We are also grateful for the loving help provided by Auburn Crest Hospice Care at the end of Enie’s life. All of you are truly angels walking on earth.

Please join us in celebrating her life at a funeral Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 919 E. Indiana Ave., Coeur d’Alene on December 27, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.  A reception at St. Thomas Parish Center will follow the graveside service at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery. You are welcome to join us for a rosary on Thursday evening, December 26th at 7:00 at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. 4th St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814. Please consider, in lieu of flowers, making memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.