Mary Louise (Holl) Lentz, 84, passed away Feb. 12, 2016, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. She was born July 11, 1931, to Alvin F. and Gladys R. (Pierce) Holl in Beverly, Kan.

She trained to be a teacher at St. John's College, Winfield, University of Wichita, and McPherson College, from which she received a B.A. degree in 1977. She taught in Lutheran schools in Kansas City and Wichita, substitute taught in Hutchinson and surrounding districts, and co-owned and taught with her husband at the Montessori Children's House, Hutchinson, 1980 to 1998. Her love of children and teaching was also expressed through Scout leadership, leading a summer playground site, and teaching Sunday school, which also supported the varied learning activities of her own children.

She married Neil C. Lentz on Dec. 26, 1955, in Wichita. The couple lived in Deerfield, Bucklin, and Pratt before settling in Hutchinson in 1966. They celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary before Neil passed away in 2009. Mary Lou enjoyed lasting friendships made through church, learning and serving together with women's groups, choirs, and committees. Her interests in retirement included tutoring ESL reading students at the library, gardening, quilting, drawing, puzzles, mystery novels, attending Community Concerts and playing board games with friends.

She is survived by: sisters, Patricia Brinton and Barbara Feldmann; brother, Allen Holl; daughter, Natalie Lentz; sons, Sheldon Lentz and wife Kathy, and Nathan Lentz and wife Laura; grandchildren, Paul Lentz, Katerina Lentz, and Brittany Johnson; and great-grandson, Ryan Johnson. She was preceded in death by: her parents; a brother, Robert Holl; and two infant daughters.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 140 E. 30th, Hutchinson, with Pastor Tim Carey presiding. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Memorials may be made to Emanuel Lutheran Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.