Luella Lenhart Hoft

Luella Lenhart Hoft, age 94, of Storm Lake, Iowa passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake. Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will take place Friday, May 20, 2016 from 4-7:00 p.m. with a rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. all at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Luella Alice Bisenius was born on February 18, 1922, the eldest of five children of Jim and Lydia (Eisele) Bisenius. She was raised on the family farm near Whittemore, Iowa. Luella graduated in 1938 at age 16 from the Presentation Academy in Whittemore. She pursued further education at the Hamilton School of business in Mason City. In 1940, she moved to Storm Lake to work, where she met James Lenhart. During World War II, Luella and her sister, Bonnie worked in a German POW camp outside Algona. After the war, James and Luella married on January 28, 1946. They made their home on the Lenhart family farm near Storm Lake raising four children. In 1963, following James's first heart attack, Luella began working at Hy-grade, and later became the high school and parish secretary at St. Mary's. James died in 1978, from a heart attack. Fortunately, Luella was able to have another loving relationship with Don Hoft; married from 1981 until Don's death in 1991. Following Don's death, Luella continued to live in Storm Lake providing grandmotherly care, passing on her love of music, gardening and strong faith. For her personal enjoyment, Luella loved raising and canning vegetables, playing cards, playing the piano and organ, trips to Arizona and giving of her time and talent to family, friends and the church. Luella was a member of the St. Mary's Ladies Guild, Catholic Daughters of America, and hospital auxiliary. Survivors include: Mary Lou (Howard) Korwes of Phoenix, Arizona; Jay (Deb Haritage) Lenhart of Sioux City, Iowa; Pat (Carol) Lenhart of Storm Lake, Iowa; Mike (Retha) Lenhart of Storm Lake, Iowa; brother, Clem Bisenius of Sioux City, Iowa; sisters: Maxine Connor of Omaha, Nebraska; and Joan (Bill) Woksa of Rochelle, Illinois; grandchildren: Trisha (Rusty) Ortiz of San Mateo, California; Jeff (Ronnelle) Korwes of Surprise, Arizona; Laura Lenhart of Chicago, Illinois; Ben Lenhart of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Emily Lenhart of Charleston, South Carolina; Daniel Lenhart of Des Moines, Iowa; Zachary Lenhart of Storm Lake, Iowa; James Lenhart of Early, Iowa; Becky Lenhart of Des Moines, Iowa; and Kristen Lenhart of Ames, Iowa; great grandchildren: Alexis, Alyssa, and Casyn Korwes, Cate and Amelia Ortiz. Preceded in death are parents, James and Lydia Bisenius; husband and daughter, James and Ann Frances Lenhart who died at birth; husband, Don Hoft; sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie (Joe) Kavanaugh; brothers-in-law: Don Lenhart, Leo (Mary Louise) Lenhart, James Connor; sisters-in-law: Beryl Bisenius, Mary (Charles) Staudt, Elizabeth (Art) Krull; nephews and nieces: Tom (Karen) Lenhart, Joe Connor, Jane (Krull) Navarude, Connie Kavanaugh.

Luella Lenhart Hoft

February 18, 1922 - May 18, 2016