John Lencz

Obituary:

John Lencz, 95, formerly of Stanley, passed away on March 22, 2026, at Country Terrace in Tomahawk under the care of Northshore Hospice. He was born on May 19, 1930, at the family home in Lublin to the late Steve and Mary (Parasczak) Lencz. John grew up there, attended Lublin grade school, graduated from Withee High School, then served his country in the Army from 1951-1953. When he returned home, he continued his education, receiving a bachelor’s degree in social work from UW-Eau Claire. John married Alice Pernsteiner on Dec. 20, 1969, and they opened a bar in Lublin. They later divorced.

Besides owning the bar, John worked as a social worker at the county level before semi-retiring to work alongside his family members at the Stanley IGA, where customers enjoyed his warm smile and the jokes he’d tell to brighten up their day. When John married Antonia “Tonie” Sanchez on October 7, 1995, he became not only a husband, but a father to three children and seven young grandsons. He bravely took on this role, becoming an inspiring role model as he and Tonie demonstrated collaboration and cooperation in their marriage and their blended families. There are no words that can fully express the positive influence and lasting impact he had on his family with his warmth and lighthearted wit.

In retirement, they enjoyed their time together. gardening, bike riding, and sightseeing. John even realized a lifelong dream of learning to play the piano, and he used this new talent to sing and play at nursing and assisted living homes. John also loved playing baseball, yard work, woodworking, and keeping up his home. John was a quiet man of faith. Every morning, he and Tonie would sit at their kitchen table, share devotions, read their Bible, and pray every day. John was a 65-year member of the American Legion Post 0547 Lublin, the Stanley Lions Club, and a member of Holy Assumption Orthodox Church in Lublin.

He is survived by his daughters, Lisa (Michael) Weaver, Kimberly A. Carlo and son, Mario S. Sanchez; grandsons, Joel A. (Sarah Anne) Erickson, Joshua J. (Amanda) Erickson, Gian R. Carlo, Jacob L. (Julia) Erickson, Giovanni H. Carlo, Jared M. Erickson (Dana Woods), Justin J. Erickson; great grandchildren, Jeremy & Christopher Carlo; Jasper, Avery, Sager, Isla, Spencer, Juniper, Jude, Whatley, and Joan Erickson; Isaias and Cadence Villa-Smith; Kassandra Davis; and many nieces and nephews. John is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Tonie (2022), his brothers: Michael, Harry, Frank and Daniel; and his sisters, Ella Welgos, and Theodosia "Teddy" Burzynski.

In keeping with John’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the Stanley Lions Club, the American Legion Post 0547 Lublin, or Holy Assumption Orthodox Church Lublin.

A service will be held at 11:00am on April 20th 2026, at Plombon’s Funeral Home in Stanley, WI. Father Reverend Hermann Klarr officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00am until time of service at Plombon’s. Burial will occur after the service at Holy Assumption Orthodox Church Cemetery in Lublin, WI with Military Honors and a meal to follow.