Lucille R. Krentz, age 96, of Ripon, WI, handed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at Ripon Community Hospital in Ripon, along with her daughter by her aspect.
Lucille was born on May 14, 1929 in Wautoma, WI. She was the youngest daughter of Ellery and Eva (Johannas) Dutcher. Lucille graduated from Wautoma High School in 1945 on the age of 16 as class salutatorian; performed drums within the band and was a cheerleader for all faculty sports activities. She attended the 2 yr Waushara County Normal School in Wautoma. She started her educating profession at a one room faculty with grades 1-8. She had the complete duty of operating her faculty, being the janitor, beginning a fireplace within the wooden burning range every morning, pumping water, shoveling snow and caring for the outhouse facility.
On June 25, 1948 Lucille was united in marriage to Darwin Krentz on the Wautoma Methodist Church. They then moved to Ripon the place she taught at Fletcher, Rosendale-Center, Dod, Elo and Pickett faculties. She taught for 40 years and retired from Ripon Middle School, grade 4. During her profession she accomplished her schooling with a Bachelor of Science diploma from the University of Oshkosh. She was a member of the Retired Teacher’s Association.
Lucille was an lively member of the Elo Methodist Church in Pickett, WI for many of her grownup life. Church tasks included meals for funerals, craft gross sales, and cooking for the notorious “Turkey Dinner.” Upon the closing of that church she transferred to Immanuel United Methodist Church in Ripon the place she continued cooking and baking for church occasions. She was a member of a church women society for a few years.
She loved stitching for her daughter, making fantastic Halloween costumes; baking, her specialty being Raspberry pie; flower gardening; and making wreaths and craft tasks. In the winter she bought Christmas timber for the household enterprise. She was an lively member of the Ripon Science Club, Wautoma Eastern Star, and 4-H membership teacher.
Lucille lived her life with dignity, giving herself unselfishly at any time when anybody she liked or cared for was in want of assist. She shall be enormously missed by her household, associates, and previous college students (who incessantly state “she was my favorite teacher”).
Survivors embrace her daughter, Karen Krentz of Ripon, WI; her brother, Howard Dutcher of Wautoma, WI; and lots of nieces and nephews. She is preceded in demise by her husband, Darwin; and her sisters, Llewellyn Dutcher, Judy Ellis, and Bernadine Edwards.
A graveside service for the household shall be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at Richford, WI, with Rev. Dr. Heather Brewer officiating. A celebration of life shall be held later within the spring.
A particular thanks to the Ripon Hospital employees who supplied wonderful care throughout her ultimate days; Lonnie, Jane, Scott Mann, and Cathi Otto for offering household help; and Jean Harms’ friendship.
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