Heide was born in Wilhelmshaven, Germany on October 26, 1941, daughter of Martin and Martha Pannebacker. In 1962, she married her husband, Ernst Lenz, with whom she spent 50 years before his passing. In 1976, Heide made the journey of a lifetime when she and Ernst packed up their lives and three children to move to the United States. She braved a new place full of strangers and a new language. Heide called North Carolina home for the next 46 years marked by becoming a proud United States citizen in 2000.
A homemaker, Heide was a magnificent cook and baker. She loved to garden and spend time outdoors. Heide was a world traveler, visiting all over Europe and central America. She led a very active lifestyle and loved going dancing with Ernst. You could find Heide at the gym, which is where she and Ernst first met; or running in 5ks, where she frequently won first place for her age group. Ernst and Heide traveled for their races from the east coast to the west coast to Puerto Rico. She was a longtime member of the Triad German Club and in her later years attended Lutheran Church of Our Father. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernst Lenz, and she is survived by their three children: Claudia Blair of High Point, Gabriele Lenz of California, and Stephan Lenz of Thomasville. She is also survived by three grandchildren: Stephanie Blair and fiancé Will Holland of Greensboro; Megan Lenz of Thomasville; and Kayla Lenz of Thomasville. In addition, she is survived by siblings Anita Goettlich, Marianne Fischer, and Toni Stroenitz, all of Germany. Also preceding her in death are brother Berhard Pannebacker of Germany, sister Olga Ingram of Scotland, and sister Martha Staerk of Germany.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 6:00 pm on Thursday, February 10th, 2022 at High Point Friends Meeting by Pastor Scott Wagoner. The family will receive friends on Thursday at 5:00 pm prior to the service in Ragan Fellowship Hall at High Point Friends Meeting. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.
