Elmer Lehman

Elmer Lehman passed away on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at Parker Oaks in Winnebago MN. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at St. Paul''s Lutheran Church in Blue Earth with Rev. Wes Hafner officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Blue Earth. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 6:30 PM Friday at St. Paul''s Lutheran Church and one hour prior to services at the church. Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the family with the arrangements. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com.Elmer was born April 22, 1926 to Louis and Minnie (Hintch) Lehman in Humboldt IA. The family of seven brothers and two sisters moved to Blue Earth when Elmer was a small child. Elmer enjoyed athletics and was named an Outstanding Athlete at Blue Earth lettering in baseball, track, football and basketball and pool. He and Margaret later became avid wrestling fans. He enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations on a gunboat (LCI-G), he participated in actions at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Three of his brothers served in the US Army in Europe and his brother Max also served in the Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and returned to Blue Earth to complete high school. He attended Dunwoody Institute and Mankato State University after WW II. Elmer was active at the VFW Post in Blue Earth and was an All State Commander and served on the Honor Guard for many years.He married Margaret Bauer on October 25 1947 and would have been together 65 years this fall. Elmer loved hunting, fishing, camping and travel. He had many highpoints including attending the Olympics in Los Angeles and a fishing trip with his brother Bob Lehman to Alaska. He enjoyed helping students at BEHS. Elmer served as a Custodian and Maintenance supervisor at the Blue Earth School for 38 years. He and Margaret enjoyed students and sporting events throughout life. Their good friend Don Dravis lived with them the 1950s In retirement he worked part time for the Blue Earth Park Dept. He served as an Elder at St Paul Lutheran Church and as Secretary Treasurer for Riverside Cemetery. Elmer and Margaret have two children Lance Lehman of Woodbury MN and Lachelle (Tom) Knoll and grandson Kirk Knoll of Coon Rapids MN. Elmer is survived by wife Margaret, son Lance and daughter Lachelle (Tom) Knoll, grandson Kirk Knoll and brother Max (Valeria) Lehman of Anoka MN and nieces and nephews.Elmer Lehman was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Minne Lehman, brothers Willie (Margarette), Roy (Verna), George (Maddie), Earl, Robert (Loretta) and sisters Pearl Haviland (Harry) and Ada Kleindal (Marvin). Service will be held at St Paul Lutheran Church in Blue Earth and internment at Riverside Cemetery.