Patricia “Trish” (Podany) Lenz was born March 16, 1962, to Marvin and Janet (Harris) Podany in Columbus. Trish passed away Sept. 18, 2024, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Trish grew up on the family farm north of Clarkson. Trish graduated in 1980 from Clarkson High School and went on to get her LPN license; Bachelor of Nursing degree and she received her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree in September of 2013. Before her retirement, Trish had been working as a Psychiatric APRN with the Behavioral Health Program at Fillmore County Hospital in Geneva. Trish was involved with many nurse leader groups throughout her career, including the Nebraska Center for Nursing and the Nebraska Nurse Leaders.
On Sept. 17, 1994, Trish met the love of her life, James, after a Husker football game. And on that day, James finally met his “Wanda.” James and Trish were married at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church on Dec. 9, 1995. They raised three children, Sarah Rose, Grace Victoria and Tyler James. James and Trish were lucky enough to add a bonus son to their family, Adam Fred Garton. James and Trish lived their married life in Seward.
Trish was involved with the community of Seward, including serving as president of Seward Chamber of Commerce. Trish was an active member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and School. She sat on the board of education, was involved with the church Youth Group, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Trish also enjoyed her time at Camp Luther, spending time with the HIS kids as their camp nurse. Trish’s true passions were taking care of her family, friends and her patients. She loved to travel, especially traveling to St. John, USVI. She enjoyed entertaining in their home, attending football games, tailgating, camping and “firecamps.”
Trish is survived by her husband, James; their children, Sarah R. Lenz of Lincoln, Grace V. Lenz of David City, Tyler and Brandi Lenz of Kingsville, Missouri, and Adam Garton of Seward; her mother, Janet Podany of Clarkson; sister, Victoria (Bruce) Orman of Oak Harbor, Washington; brothers, Greg (Robyn) Podany of Gulf Breeze, Florida and Cory Podany of Lincoln; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Tim (Vickie) Hegeholz of Staplehurst, Randy (Elaine) Lenz of Maywood, and Ronnie Lenz of Curtis; aunts and uncles, Jane Podany of Columbus, Betty Harris of Clarkson, Sharon and Bill DePetro of Willmar, Minnesota; Artis Hansen of North Platte, and Norma Hansen of Superior. She is also survived by many dear nieces, nephews, cousins and faithful friends.
Trish was preceded in death by her father, Marvin Podany; sister-in-law, Diane K Podany; her uncles, Dennis Podany and William Harris; her in-laws, Gerald and Ella Lenz; grandparents, Anton and Libbie (Stoklasa) Podany, Maurice and Helen (Cinfel) Harris and niece Madi Reese Wilkinson.
The funeral service was Sept. 23 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Staplehurst with committal at the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested in care of the Lenz family. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
