Donald Victor Lents

Donald Victor Lents, 88 died December 27, 2005, at his home in Independence, Missouri. He was born in Rhodes, Iowa, on July 30, 1917, the son of V.G. and Delia Lents, and grew up in Marshalltown, Iowa. He and Helen Draper were married April 4, 1943, in Independence. He attended Graceland College, Brown University, and Ohio State University before beginning service as a full-time minister in the Community of Christ in 1939, serving until 1982 in the USA, British Isles, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. He was a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles of the church from 1954 to 1982, serving as secretary of the Council for a number of years. After his retirement, he continued to provide volunteer ministry as a chaplain at Independence Regional Health Center, where he had earlier developed the chaplaincy program, and at the World Headquarters of Community of Christ. He was also a charter member of the Optimist Club of Independence and the Independence Knife and Fork Club, where he served a term as president. For several years he served on the board of Meals on Wheels and took pleasure in this service to the community. He and his wife were active members of the East 39th Street Community of Christ congregation. He is survived by his wife, Helen, of the home; three children, Pam and Charlie Robison of Sugar Creek, Missouri; Don and Peggy Lents of St. Louis, Missouri; and John and P.J. Lents of Palo Alto, California; his sister, Dorothy Hughes, of Sugar Creek, Missouri; six grandchildren, Avis and John McCormick of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Mark and Alita Robison of Independence; Stacie Lents of New Brunswick, New Jersey; Kelsey Lents of Berlin, Germany; and David and Isaac Lents of Palo Alto, California; two great-grandsons, Steven Miller of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and David Scott-Robison of Independence, and many nieces and great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Jay Miller. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 30, at the East 39th Street Community of Christ with visitation to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Temple Endowment Fund, Outreach International, or the charity of your choice. (Arrangements by Speaks Chapel. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com.)