Lentz brings special sculpture to cemetery

A Red Oak man has created an exciting new display at the Evergreen Cemetery.
Passerby may have noticed a tree trunk with a carving of Red Oak’s water tower and other designs on the south end of the cemetery across from Inman Elementary. The work was carved by Jerry Lentz, a native of San Diego, Omaha, and Council Bluffs.
“I moved to Red Oak about three years ago. I did a lot of tree work and retaining wall work and then I had to have three back surgeries, so I can only do so much. I have my Shitzhu, and she basically follows me wherever I go,” Lentz said.
Lentz shared the reason he decided to create the carving at the cemetery.
“I like to be creative and let people see my talent, and I thought this would be a good way to give back and help out the community,” commented Lentz.
As for the design, Lentz said the water tower was selected for the trunk after pondering ideas.
“I was looking around as I was carving, and I happened to see the water tower. Oak trees are hard to carve, so I decided to do the top of the tree with the water tower, and paint it orange, and then I put a mural below it. I like doing things that are artistic,” stated Lentz.
The mural has other features representing the area around the stump at the cemetery.
“The school is on there with the playground, and the houses up above it. They’re not perfect examples, but a representation. There’s also a search and find in it. There are inch-sized carvings like four leaf clovers and animals for people to look for. I have 36 objects in there for kids and adults to find,” explained Lentz. “I thought that would be neat because of how many people come up the path.”
Evergreen Cemetery superintendent Brad Baker said the search and find has been very popular.
“The school has brought a lot of kids over to do the search and find. We have a lot of teachers bringing over their new classes and it’s been really fun to see them all gathered around it during the day,” advised Baker.
With the intricacies of the work, Lentz said it took more than two days for him to complete the trunk.
“I was up here for about 50 hours. It wasn’t two dedicated days. I’d do a little bit each day that I could. I think the work was spread out over about 10 visits,” said Lentz.
In addition to the trunk, Baker said Lentz did some other improvements to the cemetery.
“He took a couple of trees that were rotten in the middle and turned them into planters that are on various locations of the trail,” Baker stated.
With so many trees being lost from storms, Baker said he was excited for the opportunity to turn them into something positive.
“Jerry approached me and told me what he was about and what he wanted to do. Some of the trees are on people’s plots, which I felt wasn’t appropriate for artwork. While this was an oak tree, which wasn’t ideal for carving, it was in a good location for what Jerry wanted to do. We’ve got some plans ahead of us for other trees,” Baker explained. “It was such a loss. Our big oak trees have been a staple for years.”
One of the projects is an elm tree on the south side of the Red Oak Jr./Sr. High School, and a cedar tree or two.
“I want to turn the elm tree into a gnome home. The cedar trees will be easier to carve, since they’re a softer wood. I also was to make a Red Oak sign out of one of the oaks, and maybe do something with the bur oak tree up by the office,” Baker commented.
While they are catching up with new trees, Baker said they are still down a lot of trees.
“We lost 77 trees in one major storm a couple of years back and had a lot of damage. We recently planted 19 trees to catch up. We’re trying to repair what Mother Nature and age has taken out. I think it’s neat to have carvings like these. It just brings a different aspect to the cemetery,” Baker commented.
Lentz shared what he finds the most rewarding about the work that he’s done for the cemetery.
“I like being able to see the finished project and have other people see it and appreciate it. I like to show off what I can do. I love when people appreciate good things. Politics have gotten people fighting, and I feel people should stick together and be friends. A project like this brings me peace and I hope it can bring others peace as well. It’s something that no matter what side of the aisle you’re on, you can see it and appreciate it,” Lentz advised.
Lentz added that he’s ready to do a new project for the cemetery as soon as he gets another stump to work on.
“I can only do so much at a time, as my back can only allow me to do so much. I’ll pace myself and do little bits at a time,” Lentz said. “I love people and making pretty art and I want to help out any way I can and whenever I can.”
Baker said he anticipates having more trees for Lentz to work on before the end of the year.
“He’s definitely on board, and we’ve got plans to go over. Still having to mow at this time of the year has been unusual, and Mother Nature has thrown me a curve, but the next project will be the elm tree on the south, the first one you encounter on the trail. I imagine within the next two weeks we’ll have it cut down and ready,” said Baker. “I appreciate everything Jerry has done. This is his neighborhood, and he and his dog are over here quite a bit. I appreciate the partnership and him being able to jump in here and bring us something we wouldn’t be able to have without him volunteering his talents for us.”