Florence K. Lenz, 98

Florence Lenz, longtime resident of Coeur d'Alene, passed away March 9, 2011, at Pinewood Care Center, where she had resided for the past two years. Florence was born to Delbert and Anna Snavely in Amherst, Ohio, Aug. 29, 1912.

Florence was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, George Lenz, longtime Coeur d'Alene Police Chief. George died in 2002. Florence was a true free spirit. As a young woman, Florence lived alone in a cabin on the east shore of Hayden Lake and would walk to town in winter across the frozen lake. Florence spent three years in Astoria, Ore., where she operated a boat charter service.

In 1940, Florence earned her aircraft pilot's license and kept that license current until 1980. After George retired as Police Chief in 1972, he accepted Governor Cecil Andrus's appointment as director of the Idaho Alcohol Safety Program. Florence would regularly fly George back and forth from Coeur d'Alene to Boise until they moved to Boise permanently.

In 1976, Florence and George moved to Oahu, Hawaii. Florence loved Hawaii and took up scuba diving and became a self-taught, accomplished painter. She especially enjoyed painting ocean and beach landscapes. In 1990, George and Florence moved to Arizona.

Following George's death in 2002, Florence moved back to Coeur d'Alene to be close to family and Lake Coeur d'Alene. At the age of 90, Florence bought a 23-foot cuddy cabin boat that she kept on Lake Coeur d'Alene and took out alone, almost daily, during the summers until she sold the boat in 2007. Her happiest times were on the water. Florence lived on her own until she was 96 years old.

Florence is survived by her three nieces, Dixie (Tom) Reid, Gretchen (Bill) Harrison, Judy (Corky) Meyer, and nephew Tony Sanderson.

A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 19, 2011, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene.

In lieu of flowers please make contributions to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church or St. Pius X Catholic Church.