Graveside funeral services for Pauline Mae Lentz, 97, of Guthrie, OK, will be held at 3:00 P.M., Friday, November 17, 2017 at Summit View Cemetery with Reverend Dale Depew, a long time family friend officiating. Services are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, Guthrie.

Pauline Mae Phelps was born May 27, 1920 in Holdenville, Hughes County, Oklahoma to James Albert and Mary (Sandlin) Phelps. James was originally from Illinois and Mary Sandlin from Alabama. Pauline passed away Friday, November 10, 2017 in Guthrie. James Phelps, an active Mason, was a farmer and business man in the Holdenville and Seminole County area. James died young in 1928 when Pauline was in the third grade leaving her, two brothers and their mother. Her mother, Mary had not worked outside the home and finding a job to support the family was a tough proposition. Since James had been a Mason, the Masonic lodge in Holdenville helped her and her brother, Bill get accepted in the Masonic Children's Home in Guthrie. They moved there in January 1929. They were followed by their mother who was then employed at the home. The oldest brother, Howard was over 16 at the time and too old for the home and resided nearby. Eventually all four resided in Guthrie. The Masonic Children's Home accepted children from Masonic families from across the country. Most had lost one or both parents. The home was especially valued during the depression years of 1929 and later. This was generally home to 30-50 children at any one time and had many benefits provided by the Masons. They even had their own swimming pool, gym, basket ball court and other amenities. All went to Guthrie public School.

Pauline had this large extended family which kept in touch through letters, phone calls and reunions over the many years. Pauline graduated from Guthrie High School in 1938. She was the first Guthrie High School Band Queen. On September 15, 1940 she married the local 22 year old Lloyd C. Lentz, Jr. A small ceremony was held at a private residence on N. Capital St. in Guthrie. Lloyd Jr. was employed by his father Lloyd Lentz Sr. in the family men's clothing business at 118 W. Oklahoma. The Lloyd Lentz Clothing business was established in 1926. The young couple settled into married life and only the start of World War II would change their plans. The war started for them on Jan. 27, 1942 when Lloyd enlisted and by July of that year ,he had left for active duty. He went to flight school and became a P-38 combat pilot with the 475th Fighter Squadron in the Pacific theater. Pauline worked at the First National Bank for much of the war years. Finally, Lloyd was lucky enough to come home and was discharged in 1945. Pauline and Lloyd built on the existing family retail business and established The Lloyd Lentz Furniture and Appliance business at 120 W. Oklahoma next to his father's store. Shortly thereafter, they combined with brother- in- law, Kenneth English and together they established Lloyd Lentz & Sons selling clothing in the east building (118 W. Oklahoma) and furniture and appliances in the west two buildings (120 - 122 W. Oklahoma). They sold household furniture, floor covering, kitchen cabinets, vacuum cleaners and other things especially desirable for the returning G. I.s and their new families. They offered new appliances and provided repair service. Lloyd Lentz Furniture even had the then new things called TV'S. They sold the first TV set sold in Guthrie. The retail business was closed in 1969 when she and Lloyd established Lentz Real Estate at the same address.

Pauline went on to earn her Real Estate brokers license and actively listed and sold property and did booking for the firm. Pauline was a business woman in downtown Guthrie for over 50 years and a long time member of the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce. She was a member of the First Methodist Church and at one time sang in the choir. She was a talented artist and homemaker. Pauline became an avid golfer first learning the passion as a girl in the Masonic Home. A professional golfer provided lessons for the girls and she enjoyed it for many years. Pauline continued to drive well into her 96th year of age and worked almost daily at the family business. She is survived by her son, Lloyd C Lentz, III (Ludd) and her grandson, Lloyd C. Lentz, IV(Chase), both of Guthrie; her granddaughter, Brandy Michelle Semore of Oklahoma City, OK; her nephew, William H. (Bill) Phelps Jr. of Norman, OK; and Jenny Nelson of Stillwater, OK.

Closed casket visitation will be held Thursday, 11:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M..