Neil Curtis Lentz, 78, passed away October 29, 2009, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.

He was born July 20, 1931, in Mulvane, Kansas, to Walter J. and Alvine G. Hartenbower Lentz.

He married Mary Louise Holl on December 26, 1955, in Wichita. After earning bachelor's and master's degrees from Wichita State University and serving in the Army from 1953 to 1955, he taught instrumental music in the public schools of Deerfield, Bucklin, Pratt, and Hutchinson, Kansas. He had been a violin section leader in the Hutchinson Symphony. He also taught Suzuki method string instrument lessons and composed arrangements of hymns and old pop tunes.

He was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and a lifetime member of NEA and MENC. From 1980 to 1998, he co-owned and taught with his wife in the Montessori Children's House, Hutchinson. He served in various church music roles throughout his life, most recently as a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, Hutchinson.

He is survived by: his wife, Mary Lou Lentz; sister, Phyllis Murken; daughter, Natalie Lentz; son, Sheldon Lentz and his wife Kathryn; son, Nathan Lentz and his wife Laura; and grandchildren, Paul Lentz, Katerina Lentz and Brittany Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Martha Maschhoff; a brother, Richard Lentz; and two infant daughters.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2009, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 140 East 30th, Hutchinson, with Pastor Tim Carey presiding. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be made to the church.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a condolence for his family.