Anthony “Tony” Henry Lenneman, 86, of Albany, passed away peacefully Oct. 31, 2024,at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michael, with visitation at the church one hour prior to Mass.
Tony was born Jan. 22, 1938, to Adolph and Marie (Marx) Lenneman and grew up on the family farm in St. Michael. He was a 1956 graduate of St. Michael High School. He briefly served in the Army Reserves before working various jobs including a 20-plus-year career at Dayton’s.
He was formerly a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michael and currently a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany. He was actively involved in both parishes in various roles. He was a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the American Legion Post.
Tony enjoyed playing baseball, gardening, bowling, polka music and square dancing. He was a master at the barbecue grill and much loved by his family for this delicious set of skills. He loved to visit with people and could strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and walk away as friends. He was a world class hugger with a twinkle in his eye and known by many as the “The Candyman” for his sweet gesture of handing out peppermint starlight mints to people he encountered on a day-to-day basis. By his living example, he taught his family the value of hard work and the importance of treating others how you would like to be treated. He will be remembered with love and deeply missed every single day.
Tony is survived by his wife, Geri (Rakotz) Lenneman; children Larry Lenneman, Monica (Jeff) Stangler and Mindy (Peter) McKenna; granddaughter Kassie Lenneman; sisters Betty Kobienia and Sister Virgene Lenneman; brother Robert (Patty) Lenneman; stepchildren Nancy (Dave) Wieling, Mark (Mary) Rakotz, Bruce Rakotz (Julie Preusser), Bonnie (Scott) Devitt, Barbara McIntosh, Michael (Tracy) Hinkemeyer, Michele Hinkemeyer, Stacy Hinkemeyer, Patricia Hinkemeyer; first wife Judith “Judy” (Latterell) Lenneman; several stepgrandchildren/great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; extended family and lifelong loving friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Marie Lenneman; brother Joseph Lenneman; sister Virginia Lenneman; brother-in-law Quentin Kobienia; second wife Elizabeth “Betty Lou” (Hinkemeyer) Lenneman; and stepson William “Bill” Hinkemeyer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society and/or Moments Hospice.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Peterson Chapel of St. Michael-Albertville. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
