Bernita Louise Lentz

Bernita Louise Oetting was born November 30, 1919 to Frederick A. and Theresa Hendes Oetting at

Sylvan Grove, Kansas. She died on Aug. 3, 2021 in Hutchinson, Kansas at the age of 101. She attended Bethlehem Lutheran School for grades 1-8 and graduated from Sylvan Grove High School in 1937. In 1933 she was confirmed in and became a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. After graduation she moved to Wichita, Kansas to attend Dague Business College and

worked as a nanny for room and board. She joined Immanuel Lutheran Church, participated in Walther

League and sang in the choir. At church she met Melvin Lentz, dated, fell in love, and married on June

30, 1940. Melvin and Bernita lived on the Lentz farm 2 miles west of Mulvane, Kansas where she was a

full-time housewife and mother of their three daughters. She also worked with Melvin in his electrical

business.

In 1955, she and Melvin helped organize Faith Lutheran Church in Derby, Kansas. There she joined the

LWML Ruth Circle and helped make quilts for Lutheran World Relief. She also taught Sunday School

for many years.

Later in life, she and Melvin joined the Wichita Gem and Mineral Society. She particularly enjoyed the

field trips. This hobby led to opening Lentz Lapidary and going to gem and mineral shows in many cities

around the US. In 1998, after being “snowbirds” in Mesa, Arizona, they purchased a home at Sunland

Village and became full-time residents in Mesa. There they joined Love of Christ Lutheran Church

where she became active with the women's crochet group. Crocheting was such a part of her retired life

and family and friends benefited from her efforts.

After Melvin died, she and Ellie moved to Good Samaritan Village in Hutchinson, Kansas in 2010. There

she enjoyed being near her sister, Wilma. She was known for being lucky at Bunko and enjoyed all the

friendships she made there.

Bernita is survived by her daughters, Ellen Lentz of Hutchinson; Susan (Mike) Tracy of Newton, Kansas;

and Alice Elkins of Emporia, Kansas; her sister Cindy (Virgil) VonSoosten; grandchildren Tammy (Eric)

Cunningham, Casey Elkins, and Jennifer (Matt) Duncan; great-grandchildren Courtney Balli, Kaley Balli,

Eric Cunningham Jr, Chloe Cunningham and Hudson Duncan. She was preceded in death by her parents,

husband, sisters Wilma Taylor and husband LeRoy, Jackie Walker and husband Paul, brothers Frederick

Oetting and Hendes Oetting and son-in-law Brad Elkins.

Viewing will be held from 10:00 to10:15 Monday at Smith Family Mortuary - Mulvane.

Graveside Service will be at 10:30 am Mulvane Cemetery, Mulvane Kansas

Memorials may be sent to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hutchinson or to the organization of your

choice.