Joe "Popo" Lenart

Joseph John "Joe" Lenart, age 85, of Abbott, passed away in Waco on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, surrounded by his family.

A rosary will be recited 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel, followed by visitation until 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 31, 2025 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott, with Rev. Thomas Jones as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery near West.

Joe was born on October 8, 1939, in Penelope, to Veronica (Mynarcik) and Frank Lenart, Jr. He met his beloved wife of 64 years, Joyce Pustejovsky, while both were in the second grade in Abbott. When Joe had to miss school to help with the family farm, Joyce helped him catch up on his schoolwork, beginning a lifetime of love and partnership. Proud graduates of the Abbott High School Class of 1958, the two were united in marriage on September 24, 1960. Over the years, some of their happiest times were spent traveling and polka dancing with family and friends.

Joe proudly served his country in the United States Air Force Reserves and invested fully in serving his community. He was a longtime and faithful member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott, and a fourth-degree knight in the Knights of Columbus Council #2305 in West, Texas. He was also a member of the KJT Society #107 in Abbott, American Legion Post #478 in West, RVOS #46 in West, and the Polka Lovers Klub of America. He served on the Abbott City Council and was president of the Abbott School Board for many years. Joe worked for TYMCO Industries in Waco, and Vesuvius Corporation in Hillsboro.

A hard-working man of faith, who believed in doing the right thing, Joe loved his family and instilled those values in his children and grandchildren, who brought him great joy. Every grandchild has fond memories of riding with "Popo" on both his lawnmower and tractor and enjoying late-night bowls of ice cream together. He loved spending time in his workshop, where he could fix anything, and he was an excellent gardener as well as the biggest fan of Joyce's award-winning kolaches.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Mary; a brother, Bernard Lenart Sr.; and sisters-in-law, Mary Lenart, Helen Lenart, and Gladys Picha.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 64 years, Joyce Lenart of Abbott; children, Thomas Lenart and wife Leslie of Waco, Anthony Lenart and wife Elizabeth of Plano, Richard Lenart of Fort Worth, and Angela Smith and husband Colin of Dallas; grandchildren, Chris, Matt, Patrick, and Jack Lenart, and Brendan and Abby Smith; great-grandchildren, Ella, C.J., Emmy, and Clayton Lenart; brother, Raymond Lenart and wife Sarah; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Pallbearers are Chris Lenart, Matt Lenart, Patrick Lenart, Jack Lenart, Izak Lenart, and Brendan Smith.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott.

Please share your thoughts and memories of Joe in his memorial guest book at www.aderholdfh.com.