Visitation will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church, 2400 Bloomington Rd, Ames, IA 50010, US, on Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by the Funeral from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, and a Time of Food and Fellowship from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm all at the church.
Private family interment will be held at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.
Casket Bearers will be Mark McCormick, Gary McCormick, Jeff Starnes, Lance Egeland, Robert Boilesen, and Brad Wessick.
Beth was born on September 25, 1951, in Webster City, Iowa, to Robert LeRoy Huddleston and Lillian Delores (Sporland) Huddleston of Williams, Iowa. She grew up in Williams and graduated from Northeast Hamilton High School, where she played in the band and was active in 4-H. Following high school, she attended cosmetology school in Des Moines, Iowa.
Beth met the love of her life, Larry Lenning of Randall, Iowa, when she began writing him letters while he was serving in Vietnam. The two were married on November 21, 1970, in Jewell, Iowa, and would have celebrated 56 years of marriage this November 21st. Together, they raised three children: Laura, Brian, and Erik.
Beth cherished the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom while raising their family. She later channeled her creativity into her own business, baking and decorating wedding cakes for more than 30 years. When she wasn’t decorating cakes, she loved sewing American Girl doll clothing.
Beth found joy in the simple pleasures of life, including gardening, camping, cross-stitching, quilting, and baking. She was also deeply devoted to her church and her small groups. One of her greatest adventures in nature were the times she and Larry spent visiting and volunteering at the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in Minnesota, where they enjoyed working with black bears.
Above all else, family was everything to Beth. She is survived by her loving husband, Larry; her daughter, Laura (Brent); and her sons, Brian (Amy) and Erik (Michael). She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, whom she loved immensely: Jayme, Jacob, Noah, Ethan, Jillian (Cullen), Lily, and Josie; two great-grandchildren, Haven and Brynleigh; and many nieces and nephews.
Beth also held a lifelong affection for Schipperkes, having raised them as a child and kept them as beloved members of her family throughout her life. Her dogs, Bear and Abby, will continue to be loved and cared for.
Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Lillian; Larry’s parents, Archie and Maria; her siblings, Andrea, Robert, and Delores; and Larry’s sister, Arlene.
Memorials may be directed to the family in loving memory of Beth.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left at www.stevensmemorialchapel.com for the Lenning family.
