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Leo Lehman
Leo Max Lehman, 86, of Elgin passed away Friday, April 7, 2017, at Mayo Health System, La Crosse, Wis.
He was born on the family farm southeast of Elgin on June 3, 1930, to Max and Lillian (Frieburghaus) Lehman.
Leo was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church, Elgin, where he was dedicated and baptized. He spent time each day reading his Bible. In his early years he taught Sunday school, and he served as chairman of the finance committee, was a member of the advisory board, and was always available to assist with various jobs around the church.
Leo attended Elgin Public High School, graduating with the class of 1948.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he trained in the Fleet Marine Force – 3rd Marine Brigade. At this time he was handpicked with 250 other men for a raiding party and trained under General Chesty Puller.
After returning home from the service, he married his high school sweetheart, Karolin Falb. Their union was blessed with four daughters, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Leo farmed with his father until January 1956, and at this time he took a course in modern merchandising and management in Detroit, Mich.
Upon completion of this class he began working for his father-in-law, George Falb, at John Falb & Sons in Elgin. Later Leo bought into the firm and successfully operated it until 1991. Due to health issues, he sold the dealership to John O. Falb, West Union, and continued to sell automobiles for the Falb dealerships until 2004.
Leo was very proud of his community and was always looking for ways to make it prosper and grow. He was president of the CEW Corporation that started Elgin’s first medical clinic. He, along with Bill Moore, initiated Elgin’s first Sweet Corn Days. He was chairman of several Elgin Homecomings and helped organize the parades for many years.
Lehman was a past president of the Elgin Community Club, a member of the Elgin Lions Club and Elgin American Legion Post 352. He served on the board at Northeast Iowa Community College for 16 years, on the Iowa Better Buick Dealers Association board, and was a member of the Good Samaritan Society Advocate board, West Union, for 25 years.
Leo was an avid vegetable gardener. His most enjoyable pastimes included hunting mushrooms, fishing, and gathering wild grapes and elderberries for making jelly. He was a lifelong Boston Red Sox and Iowa Hawkeyes fan. He and Karolin enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 states and many foreign countries.
The times he spent with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were very special to him.
Leo is survived by Karolin, his wife of 64 years; four daughters, Kara Krohn of Johnston, Linda (Mike) Cline of Elgin, LeAnn (Gary) Larson of Clermont, and Kris (Merle) Whitcher of Waverly; grandchildren Marah Weigel (fiancé Mark Horton), Ryan (Jane) Cline, Cody (Stacy) Cline, Christy (Tyler) Amundson, Nick (Leah) Larson, Abbie (Brandon) Huinker, Brooke Whitcher and Kyle (Dani) Whitcher.
Also surviving are great-grandchildren Cash, Beckett, Jacoby, Kaden, Trevor and Bailey Cline; Ellary and Henrik Larson; Alma Huinker; and Rowan Whitcher; two sisters-in-law, Georgana Foster and Gretta Burks; a brother-in-law, John P. Falb; and nieces, nephews and cousins.
Leo was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Marion Senkler and Maxine Leake; three brothers-in-law, George Senkler, William Leake and John Foster; a sister-in-law, Jeanette Falb; and a son-in-law, Barry Krohn.
Visitation was held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, April 10, at First Baptist Church in Elgin, and for one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, at First Baptist Church, Elgin, with grandson Pastor Cody Cline officiating and Pastor Lee Boleyn assisting.
Burial with military rites followed at Elgin Cemetery.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Elgin, assisted the family with arrangements. 15nc15