Don Lenz

Don was born on June 25, 1931 in Pittsburgh, PA. He graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in 1951. His military service in the U. S. Naval Reserve ran from 1951 to 1959.

Don succeeded his parents as owner of the Lenz Bike Shop in downtown Lansing. He was also employed by Quality Dairy from 1976 - 2007.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth (Gohr) Lenz, and father, Oscar C. Lenz.

Don married the love of his life, Vivian M (Smith) Lenz, in Lansing, MI on August 5, 1955. He was a member of the Lansing Exchange Club, Cushman Club of America, and the Lansing Old-timers' Baseball Club; and an American Motorcycle Association Lifetime Member. He was a two-time inductee in the Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame: first as a member of the 1951 Lansing Eastern Swim Team and second as the sponsor of the 1974 - 1975 Lansing Laurels Women's Softball Team.

His activities included: Jack Pine Motorcycle Enduro Run participant;Jack Pine Motorcycle Enduro Run course Layout Crew; and numerous Motorcycle Poker Runs.

He was honored by Lansing Everett High School for 48 years as a member of the football "Chain Gang" and was a Lansing Lugnuts Inaugural Season Grounds Crew member.

Surviving relatives include his wife of 58 years, Vivian (Smith) Lenz; his sister, June Lovejoy; daughters, Tamara E. Guastella (Mark) and Cheryl A. Morreim (Mike); and son Donald Steven Lenz (Nancy).

Grandchildren include: Tony, Mike (Heather), Nick, and Matt Guastella; Skyler and Colton Harris; Amanda (Lenz) Pitts (Brandon); Carlos and Daniella Lenz; and great-granddaughter, Alexis Pitts. Preceding Don in death was his granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Harris.

Don's family and friends will miss him dearly. His sense of humor, zest for life, love of cycling, Michigan State and Lansing Everett High School athletics, generosity, and love of people made him a special and unique person. Don was a 49 year season ticket holder to MSU Football. His sponsorship of the Lansing Laurels Softball Team brought him in contact with many people in the local community and around the country, many of whom he counted as life-long friends.

Visitation will be held Monday, March 31, 2014 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel, 900 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI, and Tuesday April 1, 2014 at 10:00 am at Trinity Church, 3355 Dunckel Rd., Lansing, MI, with a funeral service at 11:00 am.