He was born on June 16, 1919, in the town of Polk to the late Peter and Anna (Peil) Lenz, graduated from Slinger High School in 1937 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

After his marriage to Verdie G. Tesch on April 24, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas, the couple lived in Jackson.

He was a tradesman in the heating and sheetmetal industry for Rheingans Hardware of Jackson.

Later the couple moved to the town of Jackson where he was a self-employed dairy farmer for over 20 years. He later owned and operated Lenz Heating and Air Conditioning of Jackson.

He moved to West Bend in 1988 and retired in 1991.

His wife passed away on May 4, 1986.

Mel was a member of the VFW Post 7240 in Jackson and the American Legion Post 486 of Jackson.

Survivors include two sons, Ronald (Pat) of Muskego and Russell (karen) of Waukesha; his sweetheart of 16 years, Jean Mansfield of West Bend; three grandchildren, Christine (Jeff) Ruggaber of Racine, Elizabeth (Matthew) Melcher of Shoreview, Minn. and Amy Lenz of Waukesha; a great-granddaughter, Lauren Melcher of Shoreview; two sisters-in-law, Viola Troeller of Hartford and Leoneze Rheingans of West Bend; a brother-in-law, Gilbert Arnold of Germantown; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were seven sisters and eight brothers.

Funeral services will be on Friday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. at Phillip Funeral Home, West Bend.

Rev. Ralph D. Schultz will officiate, and interment will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, town of Richfield.

Visitation at the funeral home will be Friday from 11 a.m. until the time of services.

Memorials are appreciated to the American Cancer Society.