FRED LENTS

Fred Lents gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. August 15, 1900 in Memphis, Shelby County, TN
M. Army Veteran (January 4, 1921 – July 14, 1921)
D. October 29, 1987 in Kenosha, Kenosha County, WI
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: John Lents
  • Mother: Annie Lents
  • Wife 1: Bertha Amelia (Gilmore) Lents born December 5, 1909 in London, Ontario, Canada, daughter of William Hugh Gilmore (1853-1873) and Bertha Amelia (Bolt) Gilmore (1875-unknown); married (1) Bernard Charles Murrell on September 1, 1924 in Middlesex, Ontario, Canada and divorced April 25, 1931 in Macomb, MI; married (2) Fred Lents about 1928; Bertha died November 13, 1955 in Elgin, Kane County, IL (See section pertaining to Bertha Amelia (Gilmore) Lents buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Wife 2: Lillian Hagstrom (1908-1976) born August 3, 1908; married Fred Lents about 1959; Lilliam died February 13, 1976 in Adams, Adams County, WI
  • Wife 3: Lucille Pauline “Lu” (Kloss) Kemen (1916-2003) on November 23, 1978 in New Munster, Kenosha County, WI, daughter of Joseph Kloss and Anna (Wolshon) Kloss; Racine, Racine County, WI

According to the Journal Times (Racine WI) Saturday, March 15, 2003, page 14:

“Lucille P. Kemen Lents
   NEW MUNSTER – Lucille P. Kemen Lents, 86, died Friday, March 14, 2003, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Racine.
   She was born July 19, 1916, in Chicago, Ill. to Joseph and Anna (nee: Wolshon) Kloss.  She spent her early life in Chicago, Ill. and had been a 20-year resident of both Brighton and Wheatland.  She married Ambrose Kemen on September 2, 1939, at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Chicago, Ill.  He preceded her in death on September 27, 1972.  She married Fred Lents on November 23, 1978, at St. Alphonsus Catholic church in New Munster.  He preceded her in death on October 19, 1987.
   She was educated in Chicago, Ill.  Lucille was a Homemaker and a former member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Brighton and a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in New Munster.  She enjoyed playing Uno, fishing, canning fresh produce, and spending time with her family.
   Survivors include daughters, Marge (Tony) Marino of New Munster and Janet (David) Linneman of Brighton; sons, Robert (Peggy) Kemen of Boca Raton, Fla., and Edward (Cindy) Kemen of Racine; former daughters-in-law, Joann Reesey of Florida and Kathy Kemen of Racine; nine grandchildren, Nancy (Mark) Wagner, Kathie Marino, Lisa Kemen, Patrick Kemen, Jason (Carrie) Kemen, Adam (Nicole) Kemen, Angela Kemen, Missy Linneman, and Trish (Brian) Rogers; 16 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; two infant grandchildren, Joseph Marino and Brian Linneman; brothers, Edward and Joseph; and sisters, Marg, Ann, and Loretta.
   Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in New Munster on Monday, March 17, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Tom Biersack officiating.  Burial will follow at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Brighton.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Sunday from 4 until 8 p.m. with a Prayer Vigil at 8:15 p.m.

SCHUETTE-DANIELS
FUNERAL HOME
625 South Browns Lake Drive
Burlington                           262-763-3434
www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com”

  • Children:
    1. William Hugh Lents born August 26, 1927 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; William died February 4, 1981 in Cook County, IL
    2. John Thomas Lents born October 10, 1929 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; John died June 5, 1945 in Chicago, Cook County, IL (See section pertaining to John Thomas Lents buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
    3. Betty Lou “Becky” (Lents) Smith born April 22, 1934 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; married Robert Smith about 1956; Betty died April 10, 2003 in Zion, Lake County, IL; her body was cremated

According to the News Sun (Waukegan IL) April 13, 2003:

“Betty Lou Smith
   Betty Lou Smith, 68, of Las Vegas, Nevada and formerly of this area, died on Thursday, April 10, 2003 at Midwestern Regional Medical Center, Zion.
   Betty Lou was born April 22, 1934 in Chicago.  She was a 35 year employee of Illinois Bell Telephone Company, retiring 14 years ago and she was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.  She was also a member of the Las Vegas Garden Club, was Post President and currently the Vice President of the Iris Society of Las Vegas and was a member of the National Iris Society of America where she was honored by receiving national recognition for the formation of an educational Iris program for elementary school children, something she was very proud of.
   Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Robert, two sons, James (Mary) Smith of Winthrop Harbor and Joseph (Michelle) Smith of Spring Grove, Illinois; three grandchildren Julia Michelle (Joseph) Lobono, Casey and Nikki Smith; two great-grandchildren Tyler and Chloe; and one sister Louise (Richard) Whiteside of Winthrop Harbor.  She was preceded in death by two brothers John Lents and William Lents and by her parents Fred and Bertha Lents.
   Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 a.m. at the CONGDON FUNERAL HOME, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, with Pastor Gary Hougen of Winthrop Harbor United Methodist Church officiating.  Private cremation will follow.  Visitation will be Tuesday, April 15th, from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m. at the Congdon Funeral Home.  Memorial donations to the American Cancer Society have been suggested. (847) 746-1234.”

4. Louise (Lents) Whiteside; married Richard Whiteside; resided at 1325 Parke Ave., Winthrop Harbor, Lake County, Il between 1993 and 2002

Additional Information:

According to the 1930 U.S. for Chicago, Cook County, IL living at 1154 Ridgeway, the household members were:

“Erwin Freitage, step son (adopted), age 9, single, born in Illinois, born in Austria; Fred Lents, head, age 29, married at age 27, born in Tennessee, parents born in Tennessee, occupation: cook – restaurant; Bertha Lents, wife, age 21, married at age 15, born in Canada, parents born in Canada, immigrated in 1925; William Lents, son, age 2 7/12, single, born in Illinois; John Lents, son, age 5/12, single, born in Illinois”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Chicago, Cook County, IL living at 3238 Racine Avenue, the household members were:

“Fred Lants (sic), head, age 39, married, highest grade completed: 8, born in Tennessee, live in same place in 1935, occupation: waiter – restaurant; Bertha Lants (sic), wife, age 30, married, highest grade completed: 8, born in Canada, lived in same place in 1935; William Lants (sic), son, age 12, single, highest grade completed: 7, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935; John Lants (sic), son, age 10, single, highest grade completed: 5, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935; Betty Lou Lants (sic), daughter, age 5, single, born in Illinois”

According to the U.S. WW II Draft Cards young Men, 1940-1947:

“Name: Fred none Lents; Place of Residence: Meadowbrook Dr, Round Lake Beach, Ill; Mailing Address: Round Lake, Ill Box 348; Telephone: no; Age in Years: 41/ Date of Birth: Aug 15, 1900; Place of Birth: Memphis, Ten.; Person who will always know your address: (Mrs.) Kathleen Holland, 313 4th St., Waukegan, Ill.; Employer’s Name and Address: John Greer Library, 86 E. Randolph St, Chicago, Ill; Place of Employment or Business: 86 E. Randolph St, Chicago, Cook County, Ill; Race: White; Height: 5-6; Weight: 170; Eyes: Brown; Hair: Black; Complexion: Dark; Date of registration: Feb. 16, 1942”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Round Lake Beach, Avon Township, Lake County, IL living on 89 Meadow Brooks, the household members were:

“Fred Lents, head, age 47, married, born in Tennessee, Occupation: Machine Maintaince (sic) – Insulation, Was he living in this same house a year ago?: Yes, What country were his father and mother born in?: U S, What is the highest grade of school that he has attended?: S4, Did he finish this grade?: Yes, Last year in how many weeks did this person do any work at all?: 52, Last year (1949) how much money did he earn working as an employee for wages or salary?: $3,400, Last year (1949) how much money did his relatives in this household earn working for wages or salary?: $2,600, Did he ever serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during: WWII? No, WWI?: Yes, Any other time, including present service?: No; Bertha A Lents, wife, age 40, married, born in Canada; William H Lents, son, age 22, never married, born in Illinois, Occupation: Sawer – Insulation; Betty L Lents, daughter, age 16, never married, born in Illinois; Louise M Lents, daughter, age 2, never married, born in Illinois”

According to the Kenosha News (Kenosha WI) Friday, October 30, 1987, page 6:

“Fred Lents
   Fred Lents, 87, Burlington, died at 6 a.m. Thursday (Oct. 19, 1987) at the Washington Manor Nursing Home, 3100 Washington Road.
   The son of the late John and Annie Lents, he was born Aug. 15, 1900 in Memphis, Tenn.
   He attended schools in Tennessee.
   In 1920 he married Bertha Gilmore in Chicago.  She died in 1955.  On Nov. 23, 1978 he married Lucille Kloss Kemen in New Munster.
   During World War I, he was in the U.S. Army.
   Until he retired, he was a maintenance man with Johns Mansville., Waukegan, Ill.  In 1978 he moved to Kenosha.
   Surviving are his wife at home: two step-sons, Robert Kemen, Coral Springs, Fla., and Edward Kemen, Racine; two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Becky Lou) Smith, Waukegan, and Mrs. Richard (Louise) Whiteside, Westerville, Ohio; two step-daughters, Mrs. Tony (Marge) Marino, New Munster, and Mrs. David (Janet) Linneman, Brighton; 15 grandchildren and three great-granchildren (sic).
   Preceding him in death were two sons, William and John, and 15 brothers and sisters.
   Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home, Burlington, is in charge of arrangements.”