Lenard Lehmann

Lenard “Butterball” Lehmann, 80, of Brenham, passed away March 18, 2017 at Brenham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Visitation is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Monday at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Phillipsburg Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 10 a.m. with Pastor Robert Sorensen officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Lenard was born September 2, 1936 in the Sandy Hill community to Henry and Clara Blome Lehmann. He was baptized October 25, 1936 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Sandy Hill, and confirmed March 18, 1951 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham. He graduated from Brenham High School in 1957. On June 21, 1958, he married Ruth Sander at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Phillipsburg, where he remained a member until his death. He served his country in the Army National Guard, 386th Engineer Battalion, 49th Armored Division. He was a member of the Alley Cats Dance Club.

Lenard picked up the nickname “Butterball” as a child working in his dad’s BBQ stand. Though he lost that baby fat when he went away for National Guard duty in the late 50s, the nickname stuck.

Lenard was a devoted family man, a faithful husband, and an excellent friend. Honest to a fault, he made friends everywhere he went and never tired of helping those who needed a hand or a little credit until the next payday. Though he never liked school work, Lenard had a great head for business and problem solving. He ran several successful businesses and was proud of the fact that almost all of his ventures turned a profit, largely due to his and Ruth’s hard work and determination.

He was one of the best when taking care of his stuff. Lenard never missed an oil change, and his things were always clean and in working order. He was a safe driver and used that skill on his delivery routes for Coke and Dr. Pepper. He loved taking his friends and family on vacations, especially to the beach. Though he couldn’t swim, he loved the water and watching his loved ones playing in it.

He loved jokes, whether telling them or laughing at them. He carried dozens of jokes in his memory at any given time and always had the knack of knowing which one was most appropriate at that moment.

He encouraged his family to get as much education as possible. He wanted us to have an easier life than he had, and he did everything he could to make that happen.

Lenard and Ruth were high school sweethearts who never fell out of love. They were an example to everyone who watched their relationship and complimented each other’s strengths.

His body was sapped by several bouts with cancer and other ailments. On March 18th his body finally gave up.

Survivors include his wife Ruth; son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Donna Lehmann; daughter and son-in-law, Dana and John Parker of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Michael, Faith and Samuel Lehmann, Dylan Parker; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Esther Lehmann, Mildred and Odis Haynes, Dorothy and Nelson Wellmann, Erwin, Jr. and Kay Sander; aunt Lora Quebe; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Lenard was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sister-in-law, Eugene Lehmann, Emmett and Shirlene Lehmann; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Erwin, Sr. and Emma Tiemann Sander; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joyce and Roger Draehn; and nephew, Jeffry Lehmann.

Pallbearers were Mark Lehmann, Roger Chambers, Royce Draehn, Neal Wellmann, Troy Draehn, Brett Sander, and Blake Sander.

Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church of Phillipsburg Cemetery Fund.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.

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