Gene Lensch

Gene Lensch, 62, of Cumberland, Iowa, died Monday, June 9, 2025, at Red Oak Rehab and Care Center in Red Oak.

The son of Vernon Edwin and Erma Elizabeth (Euken) Lensch, Gene Edward was born October 14, 1962, in Greenfield, Iowa. Growing up on the farm near Cumberland, he was working with his dad and uncle by age 12. He loved crop farming and always kind of wished he’d been able to get some land of his own. Along the way he became a great fan of Oliver Tractors! Graduating from Cumberland Massena High School in 1981, he went on to work hard and earned various licenses as needed for different jobs, including demolition and construction. He lit up when talking about working for Tom Eblen for many years; he gained many skills there and always got a kick out of Tom’s advice.

On his own time, he loved to travel from coast to coast and up and down both coasts; generally making the journeys with siblings. As a fan of Iowa Public Television, he came across documentaries about caves and lighthouses and the history and restoration of them. Those became his favorite travel destinations and gave inspiration for further reading, study and continued first hand exploration. He once decided to donate to a lighthouse restoration project and was thrilled, years later, to randomly receive a copy of Lighthouse Digest with full color pictures of that finished project. In The Black Hills, New Mexico, and from Texas to Kentucky, he found many interesting and amazing caves with incredible stories. One of his favorite places to go was the Black Hills and seeing the progress of Crazy Horse.

He was proud to build his own home and shop from the ground up and was constantly tinkering on Oliver tractors and cars. He enjoyed time at the bowling alley with his team and watching Nascar races when he had time. Watching old John Wayne Westerns on TV at home was always a good pastime. He owned every movie with Hatari being his all-time favorite. PEPSI was his preferred beverage and he drank cases every month! Laughing at his sisters’ joke, he acknowledged that, “Yes,” he needs a can in his hand when he is buried.

Gene is survived by his siblings, Leland (Linda) Lensch, Gary (Linda) Lensch, Wanda (Don) Havard, Kathy (Milan d.) Grove-Ott, Marlene (Tom) Hess, Judy Lensch, Emery (Sindra) Lensch, Vicki Bognanno, Deanna (Bill) Lensch, and Tammy Lensch; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Glenda and sister, Dilene (in infancy).

Visitation with family present will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 13th at the Cumberland Community Building in Cumberland, Iowa. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 14th at Greenwood Cemetery southwest of Cumberland, Iowa, followed by a luncheon at the Cumberland Community Building. The graveside will be recorded and available for viewing the following Monday afternoon.

Memorials may be made to the Cumberland Fire Department or to the family for later designation.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Gene’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.