Karl Lenhof

Karl Lenhof was born November 1, 1928 in Opatovatz, Yugoslavia, to Jacob and Rosina Lenhof. As a child, Karl then lived in the village of Sotin with his family until the beginning of WWII. As a youngster, he enjoyed playing in the Danube River with his friends on Sunday afternoons. Following World War II, Karl and his family were driven from Yugoslavia and spent ten years in a refugee camp – Lager Haid - near Linz, Austria. While there, Karl completed his apprenticeship as a barber and married Rosina Hoffman. Their first child, Jacob (Jack) Albert, was born in Austria June 8, 1952. In 1955, the Catholic Relief Foundation sponsored them to relocate to America and brought the family to Fresno, CA. After settling in Fresno, Elizabeth, Silvia and Erich were born. There, they were actively involved at Our Lady of Victory Church and Karl served as an usher for many years. Karl’s initial employment upon his arrival from Europe was maintenance at the cemetery and was later employed as a painter. He then became head of building maintenance for Producer’s Cotton Oil, where he worked until his retirement. His work in Europe during the rebuilding following WWII and his jobs at Producers along with his rental properties led him to become an expert in building, painting, and any kind of repair work necessary. He has left the legacy of his trade with each of his children. When not fixing something, he enjoyed gardening as his favorite hobby. At Sunrise Assisted Living, where he spent the last three years of his life, his green thumb and relentless efforts to keep the courtyards beautiful are evident today. Karl will be remembered not only for his flowers, but for his wonderfully smooth dance style and the incredibly graceful way he covered the floor with his daughters, even winning trophies at numerous Father-Daughter dances. But more than gardening or dancing, Karl will be remembered for his kind words and the way he blessed and encouraged the people he came in contact with in his work and his home life. This is the greatest legacy he has left his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and everyday people with whom Karl came in contact. Karl went to be with the Lord on Saturday afternoon, May 9th, 2015, in his home while listening to hymns of praise. We know he has heard the words of the Lord, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Karl is survived by his four children: Jacob (Jack) Lenhof and his wife Karen, of San Diego, CA; Elizabeth Holland and her husband Bob, of Fresno, CA; Silvia Lenhof DeRuvo and her husband Fred, of Hampton, GA; Erich Lenhof and his wife Jackie, of Fresno, CA; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Rosina Lenhof, his sister Johanna who died as an infant and his brother Matthias (Metz) Lenhof. The extended Lenhof family wants to share their deep appreciation to the staff at Sunrise Assisted Living for loving Karl and caring for him while he lived there. A Memorial service will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Fresno, at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, May 16, 2015. Father Pat McCormick and Reverend Tim Schellenberg will be officiating. A celebration of life will follow at a reception at Sunrise Assisted Living, 7444 North Cedar Avenue, Fresno, at 1:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to the St. Agnes Home Health and Hospice

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Karl Lenhof

November 1, 1928 - May 9, 2015