Jan Carol Lentz Nagel

Jan Lentz Nagel died peacefully on August 14, 2026 at the age of 79. Jan was a friend, sister, wife and stepmother. Jan was fun-loving and sometimes feisty, and known for her hearty laugh and enthusiasm in the company of friends.

Jan was born in the small town of Ames, Oklahoma, to Logan Lentz and Jessie Marie Lentz, where she attended Ames High School. Jan left Oklahoma to pursue a career working as a flight attendant and later as a secretary and administrative assistant, including several years at Stripling Blake in Austin. Jan lived in California, North Carolina and eventually Austin.

Jan met L.F. ‘Ted’ Nagel in 1996 through mutual friends. They were married in Austin on May 25, 2002 at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church. She called him ‘Tbear’, and they shared a love of travel, with numerous trips to Las Vegas, Jamaica and Cancun in addition to overseas travel to Italy, France, England, Turkey and Greece. Together, Jan and Ted built a cabin on the Llano River, constructed over a period of nine years, doing all the hands-on work with the help of many dear friends. Jan loved the weekends spent at the Llano property, where she could be found cooking meals, mowing the tall grass in the yard, and enjoying conversation, laughter and drinks on the porch.

Jan was a superfan of the Dallas Cowboys. Jan and Ted hosted football-watching parties at their home, with groups of 20 or more friends showing up with food and drink to share. Their annual Super Bowl party was legendary and enjoyed by many. She also loved Rodeo Austin, attending events and supporting the organization that meant so much to Ted.

Jan was devoted to her pets over the years, including her Maltese Tina Too Turner, Yorkshire terriers Stubby, Jack, Khloe, as well as her beloved mix-breed rescue dog Max. Jan’s faith was important to her, and she particularly enjoyed attending livestreamed services with contemporary Christian worship music. Jan was a passionate person who loved parties with friends, time with family, her beloved dogs, watching movies on a big screen tv and living life to the fullest.

She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Lynda Lentz Staggs and Jim Staggs, sister-in-law Eula Lentz, niece Patti Staggs Wall, and nephews Matthew and Ron Lentz, and their spouses; 4 great-nieces, 2 great nephews, and 11 great or great-great nieces and nephews. Also by her stepchildren Fred Nagel, Jenny Nagel Berry, Laurie Nagel Zaza, and Elizabeth Nagel Schwartz, and their spouses; eight stepgrandchildren and one great-stepgrandchild. Jan was preceded in death by her parents Logan and Jessie, brother Gary Lentz, nephew Craig Lentz, and her husband, L.F. ‘Ted’ Nagel.

A special thanks is extended to the fantastic staff at Riva Ridge Assisted Living in Leander, Texas, especially Ken, Ivonne, and Candy, and to her Hospice caregiver Mimi with whom Jan had a close bond. In addition, the family wishes to thank stepdaughter Laurie Zaza, who along with her siblings and their spouses, took extra special care of Jan in years following Ted’s death and as Jan’s health declined.

A graveside memorial service will be held on September 11th at 2:00 p.m. at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, 2800 Hancock Drive, Austin, Texas, with a casual gathering to follow at 2814 West 50th Street. Donations in her memory may be made to Rodeo Austin Ted & Harriet Nagel Endowment at Scholarship & Endowment - Rodeo Austin or Austin Pets Alive (austinpetsalive.org) 1156 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78703.