Phyllis A. Lentz

Palmer resident Phyllis A. Lentz, 85, died March 20 of natural causes at her residence in Palmer.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m., at St. John Lutheran Church, 440 E. Elmwood, in Palmer with Pastor John Rockey officiating. A Celebration of Life will follow immediately after the service at Palmer Moose Lodge.

Phyllis was born Nov. 15, 1923 in Ontario, Calif. She came to Alaska in 1956.

She worked as a bookkeeper at McKinley Park Hotel from 1973-74, Mat-Su Supply in Palmer from 1977-81, Valley Wrecking and was a devoted housewife.

Phyllis was a member of Palmer Lutheran Church, United Methodist Church, Family Community Education (FEC), Palmer Moose Lodge, Mat-Su Women’s Connection and Sweet Adelines.

She was the founder of Raise a Reader program in Alaska and was the Star recorder for Women of Moose for three years.

She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, gardening, cooking, catering, canning and volunteering.

Her family said, “Mom was a gift and a blessing; no one is perfect but Mom was perfect for us. She showed her love by singing us songs. Now she is the song we sing.”

She is survived by her husband, Bill Lentz of Palmer; daughters, Susan Parmalee, Ann Conn, Laura Dalsky, Marion Heffelfinger and son Wayne Stearns; 11 grandchildren, Chad Heffelfinger, Carlos Jones, Rex Dashnaw, Josh Stearns, Rachael Richardson, Mike Jones, Andrew Stearns, Jacob Jones, Casey Bird, Meena Dalsky and Dan Dalsy. She also had 16 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her son, Clint E. Stearns; father Perry B. Stone; mother, Ruth Stone and brother, Perry B. Stone, Jr.

Memorial bequests may be made to the Diabetes Association (1-800-342-2383).

The family would like to extend a special ‘Thank You’ to Hospice and everyone who showed their support.

Arrangements are by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel in Wasilla.