William Walter Lenschow, 88, of Sycamore, Illinois, died Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Oak Crest Area Retirement Center, DeKalb, Illinois.
Born July 31, 1936, in Sycamore, the son of Walter and Ella (Papenbrok) Lenschow, Bill married Kathryn Mae Leinauer on Sept. 27, 1958, in Sycamore.
Having been a member of FFA and 4-H during his school days at Sycamore High School, Bill returned home from his US Army service, and became a full-time farmer. He always loved to share his passion for the family farm life with the next generations and visitors worldwide. He was recognized as a Master Farmer in 1984, and was honored as being a Distinguished Sycamore High School Alumnus in 2019. In 2022, he was a proud participant of the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.
He truly loved his relationships with his family and friends whether it was farming, fishing, bowling or on the golf course. He enjoyed giving back to the community and the agriculture industry by volunteering and serving in many leadership roles. As a young farmer he was encouraged to get involved with the dairy cooperative, Pure Milk Association which later became Associated Milk Producers Inc. and from there his years of service began. He volunteered with National Milk Producers Federation, Dairy Council of WI, Sycamore Farmers Club and several other ag related organizations through the years. His community involvement included the DeKalb County Exposition Authority and the DeKalb County History Center. Bill was a member of Sycamore United Methodist Church.
Bill is survived by his wife, Kathy; children, Susan (Brian) Crull of Monroe, WI, Lynn (Kent) Paulus of Lincoln, IL, Kimberly (Mary Creason) Winkelmann of Oakford, IL, and Debra (Nicholas) Bednarek of Elkhorn, WI; grandchildren, Stephanie (Joel) Hammerly, Nicole (Dustin) Schirm, Kelsey (Michael) Row, Justin (Jacqueline) Crull, Brandon Crull, Jessica (Taylor) Synove, Briana (Curtis) Laack, Ashley (Seth) Bramel, Michelle (Charles) Mayfield, Emily Paulus, Laura (William Ainsworth) Winkelmann, Evan Bednarek, Ella Bednarek, and Addison Bednarek; 16 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sandra Lenschow; parents; sister, Marlyn Burkart; and brothers, Robert and Donald Lenschow.
Memorials can be made in his name to Sycamore FFA Alumni or DeKalb County History Center.
Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Sycamore United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Ave., Sycamore.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm Friday, March 7, at Olson’s Quiram Sycamore Chapel, 1245 Somonauk St., Sycamore, IL 60178 and Saturday, March 8, 2025 10:00 -11:00 am at Sycamore Methodist Church. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery, Sycamore.
For information, 815-895-6589. Visit www.olsonfh.com to leave a condolence.
