Sutherland resident LaVern 'Vern' Lenz passed away at Linden Court on February 10, 2023, at the age of 89.
Vern was born at Culbertson to Albert and Grace Lenz on December 31, 1933. He grew up on the family farm between Curtis and Stockville and went to high school at the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture.
Vern married Barbara Campbell and they lived in Maywood, then the Whipple Place northwest of Stockville. In 1964 they moved to Sutherland where they farmed/ranched south of town. The couple had eight children and later divorced.
Vern farmed and ranched all his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Beverly Caywood; his daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Myron Brooks; granddaughter, Janel Gamble Godfrey; grandson, Shelby Brooks; and great-granddaughter, Ashlynn Gamble.
Survivors include Vern's children, Kent (Peggy) Lenz of Sutherland, Kim Lenz of North Platte, Rick (Jonie) Lenz of Broken Bow, Karen (John) Neergaard of Sidney, Julie (Buddy) Gamble of Sutherland and Audrey (Duane) Boggs of Prescott Valley, AZ, and Sandra (Reid) Rodgers of North Platte; brothers, Richard (Glenda) Lenz of Maywood and Larry Lenz of Curtis; sisters, Geraldine McGee of Curtis, Betty Smeltzer of Lincoln and Connie (Dennis) Poole of Encampment, WY; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great great-grandchildren, and other family.
Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, February 18, 2023, in the Moorefield Cemetery with Deacon Michael Davis officiating. Visitation is Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and with family greeting from 4-6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers memorials are to Sutherland Fire Dept. or Sutherland Rodeo Committee.