Pauline Sylvia (Elston) Lentz peacefully left this world on Wednesday, December 22, 2021. She was 91. Her family, friends, and those touched in her lifetime join in celebration of the reunion of Pauline and Bob as well as other loved ones who have gone before her.
Pauline, the daughter of Paul and Sylvia (Gunkel) Elston was born March 3, 1930 in Clifford, ND. Her family moved in 1933 to a farm near Hope, ND where she lived until her graduation from high school in Hope. Following high school, she attended Valley City State Teachers College where she received her degree in 1950. She later attended North Dakota State University and earned her Home Economics degree in 1979. She and Bob moved to Walhalla, ND in 1954 where she taught for 13 years; then the family moved to Minot, ND where she taught one year at Jim Hill Jr. High. With another family move in 1969, she completed her teaching years (21) at Valley City High School and Vocational Center, retiring in 1990.
Pauline enjoyed being a winter visitor (Snowbird) in Mesa, AZ for 25 years where she and Bob played golf with friends, participated in resort club activities and many challenging games of cards. Her life is storied with humorous anecdotes, heroic situations of perseverance, and unrelenting hope. God bless her memories as they are passed down by her fantastic family.
Pauline’s children and spouses, their children, and their grandchildren; Barry, (Kristi); Roberta (Bobby Jo), (Kenton); Paul, (Melinda); Julie; Michael, (Kathy) grieve the loss of their mother/mother-in-law along with Pauline’s 15 grandchildren and spouses, not for her as she is in a better place, but for the 17 great grandchildren who will never know the strength of her arms around them, her warm wit and encouraging spirit.
Grandchildren and spouses: Eric Lentz (Ingrid Heggen), Mark Lentz, Laura Lentz (Jim Rothstein); Andrew (Jenni) Holle; Micheal (Amber) Holle; James (Wendy) Holle; Tiffany Lentz; Matt Lentz (fiancée Stephani Atwood); Rob (Ashley) Lentz; Braden (Annie) Lentz; Nick Knutson; Lexie Knutson; Cameron (Haley) Lentz; Tayler (JoLynn) Lentz; and Jared Lentz. Great Grandchildren: Rennee & Lincoln Heggen Lentz; Kobi Rothstein; Dawson, Belle, Devin, & Drew Holle; Emma, Ella, & Evelyn Holle; Charlotte & Margaret (Maggie) Holle; Lochlan, Theo, & Cooper Lentz; Henry & Isla Lentz.
She leaves behind her beloved family – sisters: Olive Wennerstrom, Arlene (Rick) Haley and brother: Richard (Karen) Elston, and sister-in-law: Carol Elston
Pauline was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; parents, Paul and Sylvia; brother, Don Elston; sister, Helen Hashberger; brothers-in-law, Winston Wennerstrom & Lawrence Hashberger; son-in-law, Doug Knutson; and granddaughters, Emily Lentz and Stephanie Holle.
The Celebration of Life service for Pauline will be held 11:00 am Friday, January 14, 2022 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Valley City. Visitation will be 5 pm to 6:30 pm Thursday at the church. A gathering time will be held before the service from 9:30 am until the time of the service. A reception will follow the service.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City. An online guestbook is available at www.oliver-nathanchapel.com