Susan Juannell Lentz

Susan Juannell Kinser Lentz, age 81, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky. She was a beloved mother, cherished friend and devoted United Methodist parishioner.

Sue was born in Dallas, Texas, on February 12, 1944, to Edwin Lee Kinser and Margaret Millican Kinser, who encouraged her love of climbing trees and spoiling pets, including many cats all named Tom. Sue’s greatest childhood vacation memory was visiting Estes Park, Colorado, with her best friend, Barbara, where they spent 2 glorious weeks catching and cooking brook trout for dinner and talking well into the night inside their cabin.

Sue attended Woodrow Wilson High School before studying business at the University of North Texas in Denton. Sue was the first in her family to graduate from college, something she is immensely proud of. Sue, who says she was quiet as a kid, was shocked when she was elected president of the Alpha Phi sorority her senior year. Anyone who knows her warm personality, her knack for organization and gift for conversation is not surprised. Upon graduation in 1965, she married and worked in the Dallas Independent School District as a teacher.

Sue and her husband, Alvin Dwaine Lentz, welcomed Robin Michelle into the world in 1970 and Shannon Dawn in 1973. Sue embraced being a mother and was a cheerleader at every piano recital, swim meet, choir concert and tennis match of her girls. She was fond of a good game of bridge, dominoes and conquering the daily New York Times Wordle puzzle.

After retiring from the banking industry, Sue leaned into retired life. She loved bowling, celebrating with the Birthday Lunch Bunch, and serving on her condominium’s Board of Directors. Her favorite role, however, was that of grandmother. She treasured every minute she could spend with her grandkids and loved being Nana/Grammy, never failing to spoil them with cinnamon rolls and Nana candies on their numerous sleepovers.

Sue was a devoted member of Middletown United Methodist Church, where she was a member for 25 years and served the congregation in innumerable ways big and small. She was delighted when the church honored her recently for 20 years of service setting up communion for church services, even those services she didn’t attend. She was involved in hospitality (greeter on Sundays), backpack ministry, Care Team, Worship Committee, Mercy Ministries, Pew Steward, Upward Basketball, Eastern Area Community Ministries meal delivery, the Koinonia Sunday School class, Trustees, Bible study and many more. The friendships Sue made in her church life sustained her, strengthened her, and provided peace during life’s trying times, especially after her divorce and breast cancer diagnosis.

Her family couldn’t be more grateful that she embraced this spiritual home and that those there embraced her back.

Anyone who spent time in Sue’s orbit knew she embraced life and was always up for the next adventure. She took it as the greatest compliment when she was told she didn’t act her age. She exercised every day, celebrated her 70th birthday by ziplining, played pickleball until recently, and enjoyed riding roller coasters in her younger years.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin Lee Kinser and Margaret Millican Kinser; and her brother, Robert Kinser, all of Dallas, Texas.

Sue is survived by daughters, Shannon Leonberger (Michael)  and Robin Thrana (Jeffrey). She was the proud grandmother of Benjamin Leonberger; Paige Thrana; and Grace Knapp (Ryan).

All services will be held Thursday, August 21, at Middletown United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. with a Celebration of Life service immediately following at 2:00 p.m. Sue’s cremated remains will be scattered following the service at the Middletown United Methodist Church Scatter Garden.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Sue would be greatly appreciated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation @ www.komen.org or Middletown United Methodist Church @ 11902 Old Shelbyville Rd, Louisville KY 40243 or www.middletownumc.org

To leave a special message for the family, please use the "Guestbook" feature below.