Our History
My wife, Melissa, and I purchased the Lentz Funeral Homes, serving the Algona, Burt and Livermore areas of Iowa, on January 1, 2006. We grew up in this area and felt it was a good fit and opportunity for us.
We both graduated from Emmetsburg High School in 1991. After high school I joined the U.S. Army and served as a medical specialist in Fort Riley, Kansas. I also served in the Iowa Army National Guard for four years. Melissa attended Buena Vista University where she received her Biology degree.
We were married on June 3, 1995, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Depew. Melissa attended Creighton University in Omaha where she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. After deciding on a career as a funeral director I attended Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, IL and graduated with a Mortuary Science degree. I later received a Business degree from St. Ambrose University in Davenport.
My funeral home career began at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home in Davenport in 1999.
In August 2001 Melissa and I moved to Iowa Falls. I worked for Surls Funeral Home and Melissa worked at Ellsworth Municipal Hospital. We liked living there and enjoyed all of the benefits of a small town. Our search began to find a funeral home to own.
We had looked at a couple of funeral homes including the Lentz Funeral Homes. Moving back to this area just seemed to make sense. My mother and father have worked at Snap-On Tools for thirty years and my mother's family has lived in the Algona and Burt area since before the First World War. We have begun to make some changes to the Lentz Funeral Homes and hope to continue to add new services to better serve our families. We enjoy being a part of the communities that we serve and look forward to raising our family in Algona.
- Jayme Lentz
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Jayme E. Lentz, Owner
Jayme E. Lentz was born and raised in Emmetsburg, where he graduated from High School in 1991. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a medical specialist. He served at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he obtained the rank of sergeant and was awarded the Expert Field Medical Badge.
Jayme received an Associate of Arts degree from Iowa Western Community College in 1997, Associated of Applied Mortuary Science from Carl Sandburg College in 2000, and a Bachelor of Elected Studies from St. Ambrose University in 2001. In 1999 he began working at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home in Davenport where he served his apprenticeship. In August of 2001 Jayme joined Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. On January 1, 2006 Jayme and Melissa purchased the Lentz Funeral Homes.
Jayme is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Algona Area Chamber of Commerce Board, Algona Rotary Club, Algona American Legion Post #90, Kossuth County Pheasants Forever Banquet Committee, the Algona Family YMCA and the Iowa Funeral Directors Association of which he is a Past President. Jayme enjoys hunting, fishing, biking and boating. -
Melissa A. Naig-Lentz
Melissa A. Naig-Lentz was born and raised on a farm near Depew. She graduated from Emmetsburg High School in 1991. Melissa received a Bachelor of Science degree from Buena Vista College in 1995 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Creighton University in 1998. She works at the West Bend Care Center as a Physical Therapist. She is also an active part of the funeral home, providing assistance with office and computer work. Melissa is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and serves on the Algona Family YMCA Board.
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Jessica Sue Ubben, Funeral Director
Jessica S. Ubben was born and raised in Humboldt, where she graduated from High School in 2005. Jessica received an Associated of Science degree from Des Monies Area Community College in 2007 and an Advance Standing Diploma in Mortuary Science from Des Moines Area Community College in 2008. In 2007 she began working at Ewing Funeral Home in Britt, Kanawha, and Clarion where she served her apprenticeship. In August of 2010 Jessica joined Lentz Funeral Home in Algona, Livermore and Burt. Jessica is a member of Faith United Methodist Church and Algona Lions. Jessica lives in Algona with her three children, Griffin age 10, Deegan age 7 and Beckham age 1 and her significant other, Brady Koppen. Being a mom is Jessica's life passion. In her spare time she enjoys cooking and spending time with her family.
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Sydney F. Zamago, Student
Sydney F. Zamago was raised in Britt, where she graduated from West Hancock High School in 2018. After graduation, she began her college education at the University of Iowa. She later transferred to Des Moines Area Community College to begin her studies in Mortuary Science and is currently in the process of becoming a licensed funeral director. In August of 2021, she began working for Lentz Funeral Home where she will serve her internship and be a licensed funeral director in the future.
