Donna Lee Lentz Frieling

In Loving Memory of Donna Lee Lentz Frieling also known as “Pee Wee,” beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Donna Lee Lentz Frieling, cherished by all who were touched by her kindness, grace, and love, who went to be with her Lord on February 13, 2024, at the age of 75.

Donna was born November 2, 1948, in Houston, TX to Emil and Norine (Waiser) Lentz. Her then seven-year-old sister, Sandra, was allowed to name the new baby and chose Donna Lee, inspired by her favorite paper doll.

Donna and her family were of Wendish Lutheran heritage. They were active at Bethany Lutheran Church and School, a church her grandfather’s construction company built. This is where she was baptized and also where she met her future husband Gary Mark Frieling. As a young girl of the baby boomer generation, Donna loved running around the neighborhood with all the children. She lived 11 blocks from her maternal grandparents and 2 blocks from her church/school. A self-proclaimed Tomboy, she enjoyed playing sports. She played volleyball and basketball for the green and gray Lutheran Pioneers, despite her displeasure that women were relegated to playing half court in skirts. Donna confirmed her faith in 1962 at Bethany and was active in the Walther League’s youth programs.

Donna met Gary in the 7th grade, and they were married June 20, 1970 in Houston, TX. When they were “going steady,” Donna wrote Gary a note one day and asked him why he liked her. His answer: “because you can take care of yourself.” We all agree his assessment was spot-on. She regularly poked fun at him that he almost missed the wedding because he was playing golf with his groomsmen and lost track of time, arriving only ten minutes before the ceremony.

Soon after they were married, Gary received his first call as Minister of Education to teach in Kansas City, where they spent the first four years of their marriage. While in Kansas City, they made lifelong friends. The other thing they enjoyed about being in Kansas City was how close they were to the seminary in St. Louis, where Gary’s sister Vonnie lived with her husband Walt who was studying there, and they could see often. Concordia Seward was also close enough that they saw a few of Gary’s brother Rod’s football games. And it was in Kansas City that their family grew to three. Kurt still considers himself a Jayhawk.

In 1974, Donna and Gary moved to Dallas, TX when Gary received a call to teach at Our Redeemer Lutheran School. Dallas became their forever home. They expanded their family with the addition of Nathan, Joshua, and Kimberly and made many friends that would become family. Most of those friendships were made on the softball field, followed by “choir practice” on the back steps of the gym. Their home became the gathering place for their friends, where they hosted an annual 4th of July celebration and many other memorable events.

Donna walked alongside Gary in his teaching ministry and was passionate about serving in the church, filling in wherever she saw a place to share her unique talents. This led to her coaching at Our Redeemer Lutheran School and then Dallas Lutheran School. Beyond coaching softball, volleyball, and basketball, she held a variety of roles at both schools: administrative assistant (DL), admissions director (DL), and librarian (ORLS). She also assisted with ORLS’ hot lunches before they had a formal program, enjoyed running the art programs during Vacation Bible School, was a member of the Priscilla Circle women’s Bible study group at ORLS, led women’s bible study retreats, and co-chaired the first fundraiser auction for ORLS. When Donna served as ORLS’ librarian, she took great joy in decorating the windows and library space, always to the visual delight of the school children.

Donna was passionate about people and athletics. Donna always showed up for her people, whether on the court, on the field, or on the stage, she was there as fan, coach, and post-game advisor to her children and grandchildren. The friendships that Donna made while playing softball, serving at church, working at the schools, and raising their children together became her lifelong friends. In retirement, she enjoyed taking trips with “the softball ladies” and meeting regularly with the “Second Tuesday” group.

The extended family also spent significant time together skiing in Colorado, enjoying the scenery of Dickinson, and soaking in the Colorado River at Grandma Williams’ lake house. Donna used these opportunities to dote on her many nieces and nephews. Donna was also an avid reader, enjoyed doing puzzles, and hosted many dinner and game nights with friends.

Donna is survived by her devoted husband Gary Frieling; children and grandchildren Kurt and Victoria, Aaron, Kaitlyn, and Shay Frieling; Nathan and Joy, Boaz, Lydia, and Abel Frieling; Joshua and Angela Frieling; Kimberly and Ryan, JT Holdeman; sister Sandra and Bill Devall; siblings-in-law Vonnie and Walt Waiser, Rod and Kristine Frieling, and Carla Williams; and the cousins, nieces, and nephews of the Waiser, Greimann, Bates, Miller, Kahle, Trickey, Zeigler, Frieling, Holland, Shoup families, and their children and grandchildren; and many close friends who may as well have been family (you know who you are!). She is preceded in death by Emil Lentz and Norine (Waiser) Lentz, Pauline (Moerbe) Frieling-Williams, Kurt Carl Frieling, Art Williams, and Frank Williams.

If you would like to visit with the family, you are invited to join them for a visitation and viewing on Thursday, February 22, 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (7611 Park Lane, Dallas, Texas, 75225). The church is providing a light dinner. A celebration of Donna's remarkable life will be held on Friday, February 23, 2:00pm at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Dallas, where friends and family will gather to honor her memory and share stories of her impact on their lives. Donna’s Committal will immediately follow the Celebration of Life at Hillcrest Mausoleum & Memorial Park (7405 West Northwest Highway Dallas, TX 75225).

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran School for the building of their new gymnasium in honor of Donna’s lifetime commitment to the game (whatever game it may be): https://orlcs.com/ .

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the following: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church; Dallas Lutheran School; Sina & Pasha Heidari (Las Palmas); and The Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst, Texas, especially Jim. We also thank everyone for the many texts, phone calls, meals, hugs, shared stories, and prayers poured out on our family during this time. We have felt the love of Donna’s community and are forever grateful.

Dance with Jesus, Donna.
“Play for The One”