Chester " Lanz

Chester “Chet” Clyde Lanz was born to Andrew and Lydia (Savage) on January 18, 1928, in Sidney, MT. He passed away on June 29, 2010, at Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena, MN. He spent his early years tending the family cows, keeping them off the railroad tracks and enjoying being the youngest of 16 children. At the age of 14 Chester’s parents moved to Portland, OR, where he attended high school and later joined the United States Army. After his single enlistment he attended and graduated from the Holiness Methodist School of Theology in Minneapolis, and was ordained as a pastor in the Holiness Methodist Church. He began his ministry in Greenwood, SD and served at Clackamas Heights, OR; Watson, MN; Ebro, MN; and Ardoch, ND. On June 25, 1953 he married Rachel Robinson. In 1961 he left the pastorate, and he, his wife, and their five children moved to Gladstone, OR. Chester held many jobs to support his family, which included sawmill worker, and taxi driver, until he was hired to drive bus for the Blue Lines of Portland, OR. The Blue Line became Tri-Met and he continued driving bus for 32 years. Even though he had left the ministry, he never left the church. He was very instrumental in the starting of his home church in Oregon, doing whatever was necessary to assist the many pastors who served and helped in whatever capacity was needed to minister to his local church, investing in the lives of many families, widows, and orphans. He was a faithful supporter of Evangelical Church Missions in financial and prayer support. He will be remembered as a disciple of Jesus Christ, a patient and loving husband and a godly father. After retirement he enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. He will also be remembered for his smile and his unique sense of humor. Chet is survived by his wife Rachel; his children, Lorrie (Armond) Swanson of Wadena, Larry (Lisa) Lanz of Milwaukie, OR, Lee (Sharon) Lanz of Pine River, Lynette (Steve) Stowell of Dallas, OR, Lloyd (Cindy) Lanz of Wadena, and Leslie (David) Bond of Milwaukie, OR. He is also survived by his grandchildren Brian (Sara) Trosen, Troy (Briana) Trosen, Nathaniel (Stacy) Lanz, Rebecca (Scott) Johnson, Skyler (Erin) Lanz, Douglas (Haylee) Bond, Summer Lanz, J.D. Lanz, Logan Lanz, Brandon Morgan, Benjamin Lanz, Andrew Lanz, Elizabeth Lanz, Steven Stowell, Levi Lanz, and Josiah Lanz; great-grandchildren Tatum, Elliott, Tobias, Paige, Adam and Nicholas; and sisters-in-law Ida Lanz of Montana, Mary Lanz of Florida, and Dorothy Lanz of Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents Andrew and Lydia Lanz; brothers and sisters Caroline, Lloyd, Gladys, Francis, Florabelle, Ralph, Stanley, Lawrence, Paul, Ruth, Grace, Dorothy, Robert, and James. Funeral services were held on July 2, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. in the Wadena Evangelical Church, with Pastor Carl Jon Duhrkoop officiating. Pallbearers were Brian Trosen, Troy Trosen, Brandon Morgan, Ben Lanz, Andrew Lanz, Skyler Lanz, Summer Lanz, and Scott Johnson. Interment was in the Wadena Cemetery.

Chester " Lanz

January 18, 1928 - June 29, 2010