Siegfried Carl Lensing, 89, of Rhineland, MO, died on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at the Hermann Area District Hospital surrounded by family.

Siegfried Carl Lensing was born September 3, 1929 in Rhineland, Missouri to Siegfried H. and Clara (Straatmann) Lensing. He graduated from Hermann High School and then attended the University of Missouri in Columbia. Mr. Lensing was a Veteran of the United States Air Force, serving as an agent in the Office of Special Investigations in Washington, D.C. and Germany during the Korean War. After Mr. Lensing finished his military service, he became a partner and eventually full owner of the Ford dealership in Hermann. He married Shirlee Jeanne Hendershott on June 24, 1960 at the New Florence Methodist Church Parsonage. He sold the dealership in 1966 and started farming his parents' farm. Around that time, he joined the Board of Directors of Peoples Savings Bank and became President and Chairman of the Board upon the death of his father in 1976. Mr. Lensing also owned other businesses and developed several commercial real estate projects. He was past President of the Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce and was very involved in encouraging business development in the Hermann area. He was on the Gasconade County R-I School Board for many years and served as President of the board for the majority of his tenure.  Mr. Lensing served on the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center Advisory Board. He was on the Tri-County Levee District Board and served as President for many years. He was instrumental in founding The Missouri Levee and Drainage District Association. He was the Southern District County Commissioner of Montgomery County for many years. He was a member of The Church of the Risen Savior in Rhineland. He was also a life member of the Hermann Chapter of the VFW.   He was the past Master of the Daggett Lodge AF&AM in McKittrick, MO and an endowed member of the Hermann Masonic Lodge 123. He was also a member of the American Legion in Rhineland, MO; Eagles Organization in Hermann, and a member of the Hart-Parr Oliver Collectors Association.

Mr. Lensing is survived by two children: Doug Lensing and wife, Sharon, of Rhineland, MO; and Brian Lensing and wife, Melissa, of Hermann, MO; grandchildren: Andrea Lensing and fiancée, Jeffrey Means; Alicia Lensing, Chelsea Lensing, Tawni Jedwski and husband, George, Rachel Lensing, and Hunter Lensing; great-grandson, George Jedwski; step-grandchildren: Nathan Boudreaux and Madison Wright and husband, Cody; and step-great-granddaughter, Audrey Wright. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Patsy Puchta of Birmingham, AL; two nieces: Lesa Bowman and Cindy Puchta; one nephew: Kyle Puchta; and numerous friends.

Mr. Lensing was preceded in death by his parents, Siegfried H. Lensing and Clara Straatmann Lensing; and his wife, Shirlee Jeanne Hendershott Lensing.

A Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at the St. Martin's Church in Starkenburg, near Rhineland, MO. Interment with Military Honors was in the St. Martin's Cemetery. Visitation was held on Monday from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Valentine Hall in Starkenburg, near Rhineland, MO, with a Rosary at 7:00 PM. Casketbearers included Jeffrey Means, George Jedwski, Bud Zumsteg, John Noltensmeyer, Kurt Hollenberg, and Terry Hinrichs.  Honorary casketbearers included Hunter Lensing, Dan Blackburn and Bill Radtke.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. Martin's Cemetery or to the Ellis Fischel Hospital, c/o Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, MO   63361.