Gary Lehde

Gary Lehde passed away October 7, 2023, at Scott and White Hospital in College Station at the age of 74. Gary was born on May 26, 1949 to Berthold and Erna (Kelm) Lehde, at Bohne Memorial Hospital in Brenham, Texas. He was baptized at at Zionsville Lutheran Church in Zionsville, and confirmed on April 7, 1963. Gary attended Harrisburg School until the 6th grade, then later attended Brenham High School and graduated in 1968.

After graduating, Gary was then drafted into the US Army, on June 3, 1969, where he served as a heavy-duty equipment mechanic. Gary served in the Vietnam War and was stationed in Thailand. While serving in the US Army, Gary obtained several medals, National Defense medal, Vietnam Service medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaigning medal, Expert Rifle. On June 2, 1971 Gary received an honorable discharge with a Mechanic Badge from the US Army.

Gary then returned home from the US Army. On May 12, 1973, he married the love of his life, Linda (Gaskamp) Lehde at Zionsville Lutheran Church of Zionsville. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past May. This marriage blessed them with two sons, Tracy and Lance.

Gary was employed with Case Tractor for twenty-six years. After retiring from Case Tractor, Gary became self-employed and started Gary's Tractor Repair. Gary loved working on tractors.

From early childhood Gary learned to ranch the family farm in Zionsville, where he became an avid rancher. He loved taking long walks in the woods, working with his cattle and baling hay. Whenever you couldn't find Gary around the house, you knew to look in the woods and around his cattle. Gary enjoyed telling stories of his ranching.

Gary was blessed with 4 grandchildren, 2 grandsons and 2 granddaughters, who he loved spending time with. Gary looked forward to honoring his grandchildren in the Veterans Day Program with them at their schools every year. Gary is proud of all of his grandchildren and all of their accomplishments from high school graduation to fair projects.

Gary enjoyed helping the worship committee at Zionsville Lutheran Church at Zionsville with putting up the Christmas tree and the Easter cross each year. Gary also helped with their Fat Tuesday pancake supper every year.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Berthold and Erna (Kelm) Lehde, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Delmus and Lydia Gaskamp, brothers Mervin Lehde and Vernon Lehde, sister-in-law Gloria Lehde, brothers-in-law Arthur Grimm and Henry Ganske, and niece Carol Lorenz.

Gary is survived by his wife, Linda, his sons and daughters-in-law, Tracy and Melania Lehde, Lance and Holly Lehde, grandchildren, Kyle Lehde and special friend, Samantha Rogers, Carson Lehde and special friend, Kaycee White, Emily Lehde and Addison Lehde, brother, Billy Lehde, brother and sister-in-law, Bobby and Barbara Lehde, sister, Elaine Lorenz, sister-in-law Joann Lehde, sisters-in-law, Dorothy Grimm, Laverne Ganske, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lydia and Milton Green, brother-in-law Delfred Gaskamp and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Gary will be on Tuesday, October 10th, at Memorial Oaks Chapel, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. Funeral Services for Gary will be Wednesday, October 11th at 10:30 AM at Zion Lutheran Church of Zionsville, with Pastor Glen Hohlt officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Zionsville.

Pallbearers will be Kyle Lehde, Carson Lehde, Dewayne Muske, Charles Gaskamp, Donald Lehde and Michael Lorenz. Honorary pallbearers will be Emily Lehde, Addison Lehde, Lee Koehler, Kenneth Blum, Steven Gill, Henry Jankowiak, and all nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church of Zionsville.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main Street, Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, please visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.