Kenneth Oscar Lenz

Kenneth "Ken" Oscar Lenz, age 84, of Waseca, passed away on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Generations Child and Memory Care in Mankato. 

Ken was born on August 21, 1942, in Whittemore, Iowa, the son of Friedrich and Oliva (Olson) Lenz. He grew up helping his father on the farm, where his lifelong love of driving began. At the age of five, he proudly drove a tractor alongside his dad-an early start that sparked both his passion for being behind the wheel and his interest in geography. He began his education in Rodman, Iowa, and graduated from Laurens High School with the class of 1960. He continued his studies at Emmetsburg Junior College before transferring to Mankato State College, earning his bachelor's degree in Geography. To help pay for his education, Ken drove school bus, a job that would later shape the course of his life. 

While driving bus for Manske Bus Service, Ken came to know the owner of the bus company, whose niece, Kathleen "Kathy" Maurer, would become the love of his life.

Following his college graduation, Ken joined the United States Marine Corps, attended training at Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation. During this time, he and Kathy were united in marriage on July 1,1967 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Mankato, MN, beginning their life together while he continued his military preparation. After welcoming their first child, Ken was deployed to Vietnam just a few weeks later. When he returned home from his service overseas, the young family made their home at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina until his honorable discharge from active duty upon which he entered the Marine Corps Reserves. 

Ken had a mind of his own and was always full of ideas. His first job after the service brought the family to Moorhead, MN, where he tried his hand at selling insurance for a year before relocating to Fairmont, MN, where he owned and operated KO's Place. In 1973, Ken and Kathy made Waseca their permanent home when he purchased the bus company from Rita Korteum. He loved every aspect of owning the business-from working with the drivers and the kids to serving the community. In 2010, Ken retired and proudly sold the company to his daughter, Kelli, passing on the passion that had shaped his life. 

Ken enjoyed traveling, collecting antique tractors, and any opportunity to jump into a vehicle and go for a drive. During his working years, he looked forward to summer vacations and cherished fishing trips to Canada with his friends and family. He never met a stranger and loved to talk. His family learned that when he said he was running into town for "30 minutes," they should not expect him home for at least two hours. He loved being out and about in the community. Ken was an active member of the Waseca Lions Club and a devoted member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca, where he served on the Board of Education, taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and served on the Board of Elders for many years. He will be remembered as a generous, ambitious, hardworking Christian man with an eternally optimistic outlook. 

Because of his love for people, he became a father figure to many in the community, and his generosity was often shown quietly, in ways few ever knew. When he needed additional assistance with daily care, Ken moved to Generations Child and Memory Care in Mankato, where he quickly became like family to the staff. His positive attitude and sense of humor never faded. 

Ken is survived by his loving wife, Kathy of Waseca; children: Treavor (Becky) Lenz of Prairie du Sac, WI, Kelli Lenz of Waseca, and Aaron (Sarah) Lenz of Holly Ridge, North Carolina; grandchildren: Treyton Lenz, Kylie Lenz, Mikayla (Kade) Coolidge, Mackenzie Lenz (fiancé, Bret Burns), Porter Lenz, and Drake Lenz; great‑grandsons, Graysen Lenz and Asher Coolidge; siblings: Fred (Jan) Lenz of New Ulm and James (Mary) Lenz of Brownsberg, Indiana; brother‑in‑law, Ron (Linda) Maurer of Brandon, SD; sister‑in‑law, Lois Palmer of New Brighton, MN; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Lawrence (Helen) Lenz, Caroline (Roger) Kalkis, and Leonard Lenz; brothers‑in‑law, Al Maurer and Floyd Palmer, sister-in-law Beverly Lenz and several nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, September 11, 2026, at the State Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. 

Funeral Service will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca with Rev. Michael Grannis officiating. Interment will take place at Pilgrims Rest Cemetery in Mankato. 

In Lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Waseca Area Foundation.