Our Staff
Michael J. Lensing, Co-owner
Born in Independence, Iowa and raised in Cedar Rapids, Michael Lensing received a degree in elementary education from the University of Iowa in 1974, and graduated from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science a year later. Together with Vicki Lensing, he purchased the funeral home in 1978.
Michael is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the Iowa Funeral Directors Association, the Cremation Association of North America, and is certified with the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Locally, he is a member of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, the University of Iowa Presidents Club, Saint Patrick Church, the Knights of Columbus, Sigma Chi Fraternity (Alpha Eta Alumni), Iowa City Hospice Friends, and the Iowa City AM Rotary Club–where he is a Paul Harris Fellow.
Michael believes in the importance of giving back to the community. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of the Visiting Nurses Association, the Summer of the Arts Board, and the University of Iowa College of Nursing Advisory Committee. In the past, he has served on the boards of the Mercy Hospital Foundation, the Iowa City Public Library Foundation, Riverside Theatre, Systems Unlimited Foundation, Iowa City Hospice, and the Iowa Funeral Directors Association. He is also the past president of the Iowa City Hospice Friends and a past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus.
Michael enjoys spending time with family, friends, and his Yorkshire Terrier, Rupert. He also enjoys his time at home, where he can nurture his garden of perennials, annuals, ornamental grasses, and Koi fish. He collects both regional and local art. Michael cherishes the time spent with his children, Amanda, Alex and Nick. 
Vicki Lensing, Co-owner
Vicki Lensing is a lifelong Iowa City resident, graduating from West High School and the University of Iowa. As co-owner of Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, she has been involved in the funeral service for over 30 years.
Vicki has helped to develop grief-related programs with local schools, Iowa City Hospice, various churches, hospitals, and healthcare groups. She has facilitated support groups for and presented to AIDS survivors, junior high students, and adults, in addition to having written many articles about grief and loss for local and national periodicals. At Lensing's, Vicki developed an aftercare program, which includes programs for the bereaved, support groups, educational programs, and a lending library of books on grief and loss.
An active member of the greater Iowa City community, Vicki currently serves on the board of Elder Services, the Reading Recovery Council of Iowa, and the DMACC Mortuary Science Advisory Council and Community Corrections Improvement Association. In 2000, she was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives and currently serves on the Judiciary, Environmental Protection, and State Government Committees, in addition to serving as Co-chair of the Joint Oversight Committee.
She has had the pleasure to be president of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, president of the Districtwide Parents Organization, president of the Johnson County Area Women's Network, and co-founder of the United Way Women's Leadership Circle. She formerly served on the board of the Johnson County Community Foundation and is a graduate of the Chamber Community Leadership Program.
In 2009, Vicki was named Corridor Business Journal Woman of Influence and received the Friend of the Family Farmer Award from the Iowa Farmers Union. She was the recipient of Iowa City West High Distinguished Alumni Award in 1992 and the Governor's Volunteer Award in Education in 1998.
Vicki has three children with her former husband, Michael Lensing: Amanda, of New York City, New York; Alex, of Iowa City; and Nick of Denver, Colorado. She is married to Rich Templeton.
Ken Holmes, Pre-planning Consultant
Ken has been with Lensing's since 1993. He came to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa, graduating with a BS from the Physician Assistant Program, and an MA in Education. He worked at Mercy Hospital as a nursing assistant and then at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics where he was a Physician Assistant. He was also the Program Director of Nuclear Medicine Technology before becoming a Certified Preplanning Consultant.
He and his wife Lynn, a preschool teacher, have three young children at home–Emma, Natalie and Adam–as well as two grown children, Sarah and Ben. Ken enjoys anything chocolate, intensive vegetable gardening, discovering old and new music, reading about all kinds of interesting things, and watching Hawkeye basketball and Star Trek.
Susan Spilger, Business Manager
A lifelong resident of Iowa City, Susan graduated from City High School and earned her BA from the University of Iowa. She is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management, the Eastern Iowa Human Resources Association, and is an ambassador for the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce. She has two children, Scott Spilger, of Madison, WI and Amy Jensen, of Davenport, IA. Susan is responsible for Lensing's human resources, accounting, and assists with general management duties. Prior to joining Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in 2008, Susan was the Human Resources Director at the Iowa City Press-Citizen for eleven years.
Susan loves spending time with her family, listening to music and going on long walks with her dog Gracie.
Michael O'Brien, Funeral Director
A lifelong resident of Iowa City, Mike graduated from Regina High School in Iowa City and Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago. He also attended the University of Iowa and Kirkwood Community College. Before a career change in 1987, Mike worked for many years with Hy-Vee Food Stores at the Rochester & First Avenue location in Iowa City.
Mike volunteered with the Iowa City Road Races Run For The Schools for many years as the Traffic and Safety Director. He volunteered as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the Johnson County Sheriff's Department for 14 years. During this time Mike was able to serve numerous community organizations and was the Public Safety Director for the 2008 RAGRAI overnight stop in North Liberty.
Mike co-chaired the Iowa City chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of SE Iowa in its early years. A member of the Iowa City Moose Lodge, Mike served on both the board of directors and board of officers for many years. He currently volunteers at the North Liberty Food Pantry and has enjoyed performing as a keyboard player and drummer in the Iowa City area for 37 years. Mike and his wife Katherine enjoy home improvement projects and traveling.
Mike is also a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Iowa Funeral Directors Association, The Iowa State Reserve Law Officers Association. and The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club. 
Tony Porter, Funeral Director
Tony has been a funeral director since 1996, joining Lensing's in 2006. Originally from Ottumwa, IA, Tony graduated from The University of Iowa in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and later earned his Bachelor of Mortuary Science degree from The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1995. After working for a funeral home in Wichita, KS for 5 years, Tony and his wife Stacy moved back to Iowa in 2000 to be closer to their families.
Tony and Stacy have one daughter Paige, who was born in 2002. Tony enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, hunting, traveling and is an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Minnesota Vikings fan.
Pat Wells, Community Relations
Pat Wells is a retired Iowa City banker who has found another way to help people in the community via working with families to assist with visitations, funerals, and aftercare.
Along with her husband, Skip, she enjoys traveling and cheering on the Hawkeyes. In addition to reading and golf, Pat is active in various community organizations, including Johnson County Area Women Network (JCAWN), the National I Club, and the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Angel Harper, Funeral Director
Angel Harper grew up in Cedar Rapids, where she graduated from Kennedy High School. She has a license in cosmetology from Capri Cosmetology College and is a graduate of the Mortuary Science Program at Des Moines Area Community College. She has also attended Kirkwood Community College and the University of Iowa. She enjoys spending time with her four children–AJ, Lauryn, Alex and Jordan.
Alex Lensing, Manager
The son of Michael and Vicki Lensing, Alex has worked for Lensing Funeral Home since he was thirteen-years old. A 2001 graduate of Iowa City High School, Alex received a degree from Kirkwood Community College in 2010 and plans to study mortuary science. Currently Alex co-manages Faithful Companions. He enjoys watching movies and walking his dog, Bruno.
Tara Mott, Co-manager
An Iowa City native, Tara graduated from Iowa City West High School and has since attended Kirkwood Community College and Arizona State University. Tara has co-managed Faithful Companions with Alex Lensing since it opened in October 2008. She enjoys spending time with her husband, John Helmsley, and their "children"–all animals.
John Parrish, Funeral Director, Intern
John Parrish grew up in Algona, Iowa where he graduated from Bishop Garrigan Catholic High school in 2008. After high school, he attend Kirkwood Community College where he received his associates degree in Business. John went on to Des Moines Area Community College and received his degree in Mortuary Science. John enjoys spending time with his family and friends, golfing, and is an avid Iowa Hawkeyes and New York Yankees fan.
 SUPPORT STAFF  |
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 Sue Gough |
 Scott Jones |
 Richard Kirschling |
 Tom Koeppel |
 Louise Kruse |
 Jim Mason |
 Larry McCabe June 23, 1931 - January 8, 2013 |
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 Gail Royer |
 Ken Royer |
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