Lentfer, Phyliss 'Phyl' J.

Phyliss “Phyl” J. Lentfer, 78, of 1owa City, died peacefully at Mercy Iowa City on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, after a courageous fight against leukemia.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. The Rev. Timothy Zimmermann will officiate. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be held Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Lensing Funeral Service in Iowa City.

She was born Jan. 24, 1934, at Toronto, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Anna (Lange) Andresen. Surviving are her husband of 56 years, Robert (Bob); two sons, James “Jim” (Veronica) of Cupertino, Calif., and Mark (Sue) of Sunnyvale, Calif.; two grandchildren, Michelle and John; sister, Marianne (Edward) Bachman; brother, William (Carilyn) Andresen; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings and mates, Howard Andresen, Eleanor (Lester) Lund, Ethel (Lloyd) Leinbaugh, Harriet (Clyde) Hill, and LeRoy (Hazel) Andresen; and son, Jeffrey Lentfer.

After graduating from Wheatland High School she attended AIC with a basketball scholarship. Her AIC team won the state AAU championship and was runner-up at the nationals. She used her secretarial skills at Victor Animatigraph and the University of Iowa College of Education. Upon the onset of motherhood she operated her personal typing service for university students (including some book manuscripts and many graduate theses).

Phyl was an avid and competitive golfer, enjoying many days with friends at HiPoint, Pleasant Valley and Finkbine golf courses. Annual trips to Bella Vista, Ark., and The Villages in Florida provided the opportunity to use the clubs. She enjoyed travel and attained the goal set by her mother-in-law of visiting all 50 states and many foreign countries. Many will attest to her skill at the bridge table. She thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and fellowship of this pastime and was always available to be a “fourth”. Her marriage induced her to become a rabid Hawkeye fan.

She was an active participant in many organizations: LWML at Our Redeemer, Chapter JF PEO, Mercy Volunteers, Mercy Guild, University Club and Red Hat.

Phyl was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and sister, and will be greatly missed by her many friends, all who truly loved her.

Memorial donations may be given to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or American Diabetes Association.

Online condolences may be directed to .

Published July 31, 2012 in The Gazette