Cynthia Lantz

Saturday, November 26, 2022 8:23 pm

Cynthia Avis Lantz, 73, of Decorah, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

Cynthia was born on Feb. 17, 1949, to Russell and Hazel (Bartels) Jones in Wadena, Iowa. She graduated from Valley High School with the class of 1967. On Sept. 24, 1966, Cynthia was united in marriage to David Lantz, but they were later divorced. Two daughters were born to this union.

Cynthia held a lifelong career in the H&R Block corporation. As a young wife and mom hired to clean the office, she worked her way up to becoming an expert tax preparer, and eventually became a respected business woman owning her own franchise in Decorah, Iowa. After selling her office in 2010y., she freelanced for H&R Block in Minnesota, Hawaii, Georgia and Arizona.

Throughout her career, Cynthia earned several awards and recognitions for the outstanding services she provided. She was also elected as the President of the Franchise Owners Association, accomplishing changes that had been needed for over 30 years.In her Decorah community, Cynthia was a member of Northern Lights Choir, a volunteer at the Co-op, and an active participant in the Decorah Rocks Facebook group.

She loved to read, garden, travel with her friend, Irene and visit her beloved friends and family.

Surviving Cynthia are her daughters, Angela (Dan) Trent of Granger, and Erin (Ray) Pater of Winterset; grandchildren, Luke (Heather) Trent of Woodward, Iowa, Mercedes (Josiah) Janecek of Ankeny, Luke Pater of Kansas City, Mo., Johnny Pater of Kansas City, Mo., and Lauren Pater of Ankeny; great-grandchildren, Liam and Brayden Trent, Henry, James, Ben and Ellie Janecek; four sisters, Tricia (Charlie) Baumler of Wadena, Iowa, Eileen (Floyd) Fagle of Oelwein, Kathy Jones (Sherwin Skar) of Marshall, Minn., and Susan (Bill) Yarrington of Puposky, Minn.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Hazel Jones.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022 at Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home at 212 East Elm Street, West Union, Iowa, 52175.There will also be a one hour visitation before services at the funeral home on Friday.Funeral Service will be at 10:00 am on Friday, December 2, 2022 at Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home with Pastor Phil Round as the officiant. Burial will follow at Lima Cemetery in Fayette, Iowa.Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa is assisting the family.