By: Donovan W. Mann – [email protected]
Humboldt, IA – Lentz Funeral Home is acquiring Harris Funeral Home in a recent business deal.
Jayme Lentz has confirmed to KHBT that he is purchasing the Harris Funeral Home locations in Gilmore City, Mallard and West Bend. Lentz already owns homes in Algona, Humboldt and Livermore.
Lentz and Phil Harris are well acquainted and this move is something they have been mulling over for a while. “Phil and I have known each other for quite a while and helped each other out the past few year,” says Lentz. Harris is retiring, which has led to him selling his stores.
Lentz says the conversation began once retirement was within consideration. “When he decided it was time to retired we just, kind of, got together and tried to figure out a way for us to take over his funeral home when he did decide to retire.”
Beyond the ability to expand his business, Lentz says they were interested in acquiring Harris Funeral Homes because of exciting connections. “We have connections to those communities.” Mainly it is West Bend and Mallard according to the owner but he looks forward to getting more involved with Gilmore City.
The move also made sense geographically based on the locations of the currently Lentz Funeral Homes. The locations and connections should make for a “smooth transition.”
Lentz says he does not plan to make any major changes and will keep the name and staff as is. The plan is to keep the two funeral directors to allow the funeral homes better serve their families. This also to help assure the quality of service does not diminish.
“We just plan to keep doing the same things that we have been doing in Humboldt and Algona and Livermore and bringing that same level of service to the families that we serve here to West Bend, Gilmore City and Mallard.”
Jayme Lentz has been a funeral home owner for 16 years when he bought Wilson Funeral Homes in Algona, Livermore and Burt. More recently he purchased a location in Spirit Lake with an onsite crematory to be able to provide cremations directly to families. Seven years ago he opened his location in Humboldt.
While Harris Funeral Home may be going under new ownership, they will continue to offer the same high quality of service to all locations operated by Lentz and his team.