We at Hospitality Design (HD) magazine recently learned of the sudden passing of our friend and colleague John Lenaas on April 18 at his home in West New York, New Jersey. John, 69, was creative director of HD for more than two decades and during his tenure was responsible for much of the brand’s success and style. He will be greatly missed by his HD family. Our deepest condolences to his surviving family and his many friends in the industry.
John was born on April 27, 1940, in Edgerton, Wisconsin, the son of Norman Olin and Lucille Madeline (Janney) Lenaas. Survivors include his brother, Jim Lenaas and wife Mary, of Janesville; his niece, Stacy Williamson and husband Andrew, of West Des Moines, Iowa, and their children, Aaron and Samuel; and his nephew, Stephen Lenaas, of Fort Gordon, Georgia. John was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Barbara Ann.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 24, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 2921 Mt. Zion Ave, Janesville, Wisconsin, with Pastor Paul Speerbrecker officiating. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will be at Jenson Cemetery in Edgerton. Brian Hansen Funeral Service, 608-752-8800, is assisting the family with arrangements.
