Obituary of Betty S. Lentz

Betty S. Lentz, 82, of Ephrata, PA, formerly of Manheim, entered Heaven on Wednesday morning, January13, 2016 at United Zion Retirement Community following a brief illness and surrounded by her family. Born in Manheim Twp., Lancaster County, she was the daughter of the late George M. Ober and Mary H. Smith Ober Fulkrod and the adopted daughter of the late Abram and Annie Siegrist. She was the wife of the late James A.L. Lentz for 62 years prior to his passing on August 17, 2015. A homemaker, Betty was a member of Hernley Mennonite Church and more recently attended Speedwell Heights Brethren in Christ Church in Lititz. In her earlier years, she taught children's Sunday school and was president of the sewing circle. Later, she was president of the sewing circle of the Lancaster Conference of the Mennonite Church. She worked as a nurse's aide at Mount Alto Tuberculosis Sanitorium in South Mountain, PA while her husband served his 1-W Service there. She was also a member of the Gideon's International Auxiliary, Lancaster West Camp. Betty and Jim traveled extensively within the United States and beyond. In addition to playing games, crocheting, and needlework, she enjoyed gardening and preserving what she grew. However, her greatest hobby was quilting. She quilted nearly 1000 quilts that were given to family members and for charity benefits sales. Her most famous quilt was quilted for former President Ronald Reagan while he was in office and is on display at the Reagan Presidential Library in California. She is survived by four children, John L., husband of Judy Hostetter Lentz, of Manheim, Ruth E., wife of Glen Groff, of Lititz, Timothy L., husband of Jolyn Showalter Lentz, of Wallace, WV, and Rhoda A., wife of Ronald Lehman, of Myerstown; 12 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; and six siblings, Jane Herr of Manheim, George Ober of Manheim, Sarah Miller of Thurmont, MD, Jacob, husband of Miriam Ober, of Conestoga, Wayne, husband of Arlene Ober, of Lancaster, and Robert, husband of Joyce Fulkrod, of Manheim. She was preceded in death by eight siblings Phares Ober, Catherine Weidman, twin infants Ruth and John Ober, Anna Mary Shelly, Leah Ebersole, Helen Oberholtzer, and Blanche Minshell; and a foster sister, Esther Chides. A funeral service will be held on Saturday morning, January 16, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Hernley Mennonite Church, 746 Lebanon Road, Manheim, PA. Interment will be in the adjoining cemetery. The family will receive guests at the church on Friday evening from 6-8:00 PM and on Saturday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. If desired, contributions may be made to The Gideon's International, Lancaster West Camp, PO Box 194, Manheim, PA 17545 or to Caring Hospice Services, 101 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603. To express a condolence with the family or to watch a webcast of the service beginning the day following the service, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.