| Sources |
- [S926] Find-A-Grave, (www.findagrave.com).
Leo Lehr
Birth: Jan. 19, 1909
Emery
Hanson County
South Dakota, USA
Death: Jun. 23, 2005
Bakersfield
Kern County
California, USA
Leo Lehr
1909 - 2005
Leo Lehr January 19, 1909 July 23, 2005 Leo was born in Emery, South Dakota to Jacob and Magdalena Mettler Lehr. He was the fourth of seven children. The family moved to Menno, South Dakota shortly after Leos birth. There were 5 boys and 2 girls, Art, Ella, Herbert, Leo, Emil, Tilmann and Irene. In 1936 Leo moved to California driving a Model A truck loaded with his Uncle Fred Mettlers furniture. He started working in the potato sheds in Tehachapi and Edison area where he met and married Leta Mae Crow in 1939. They were married for 56 years at Letas passing in 1996. Leo and Leta had two children, Ronald born September 28, 1940 and Janis born October 22, 1945. Leo started farming potatoes in 1938 with an 80-acre field. In 1942 his brother, Emil, joined in the operation forming Lehr Brothers. They farmed together for 45 years. Today, the company is one of the larger potato operations in California with his son, Ron and grandsons, Ron Jr. and Scott Pursel running the business. Leo had the reputation for being one of the best potato growers in Kern County as well as an honest and generous man. He was a charter member of Grace Reformed Church which was founded in 1945 and was its oldest member at his death. After Leo retired he enjoyed spending time in Morro Bay (on the golf course) and had been a member of Bakersfield Country Club for many years. He could be seen on the golf course with his best friend, Dr. David Ardell, three times per week up until the time of his illness. He liked the silver tees because he could shoot his age once in a while. He also cherished the time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He especially enjoyed his birthday celebrations at the club. He enjoyed sports and was an avid Dodger and Lakers fan. Leo is preceded in death by his parents and loving wife, Leta; brothers, Art, Herbert, Emil and Tilmann; sister, Ella; sisters-in-law, Elsie Lehr, Esther Lehr and Marion Lehr; son-in-law, Douglas Pursel. Leo is survived by his sister, Irene Lehr of San Francisco; son, Ronald and daughter, Janis Pursel; grandchildren, Leslie Shae Lehr of Oregon, Ronald Jr. (Shelly), Scott (Belinda), all of Bakersfield, Dr. Jeffrey Pursel (Susan) of New York and John Pursel (Shelly) of New Jersey; great-grandchildren, Austin Lehr, Tanner Lehr, James Bottoms II and Colin Pursel; many nieces, nephews and friends. In lieu of flowers the family request that you make a contribution to the Living Memorial Fund Grace Reformed Church, 430 Columbus, Bakersfield or your favorite charity. Pallbearers are Ron Lehr Jr., Scott Pursel, Austin Lehr, Tanner Lehr, James Bottoms II, Harland Lehr, Fred Mettler and Darrell Mettler. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Jeffrey Pursel, John Pursel, Dr. David Ardell, Filmore Bender, G.W. Walker, Harlan McFarland, Herb Spitzer, Les Miller, Gene Lawhorn, Ralph ole Miller. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 27, between 4-8 p.m., at Hillcrest Mortuary, 9101 Kern Canyon Rd. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 28, 2005, at 10:00 a.m., at Hillcrest Memorial Chapel. Legacy.com
Published in the Bakersfield Californian on 7/26/2005.
Family links:
Parents:
Jacob Lehr (1879 - 1964)
Magdalena Mettler Lehr (1878 - 1962)
Spouse:
Leta Mae Crow Lehr (1917 - 1996)
Burial:
Hillcrest Memorial Park
Bakersfield
Kern County
California, USA
Created by: Diana Satterfield
Record added: Jul 26, 2005
Find A Grave Memorial# 11429359
- [S927] Obituary.
Birth:
J an. 19, 1909
Emery
Hanson County
South Dakota, USA
Death:
Jun. 23, 2005
Bakersfield
Kern County
California, USA
Leo Lehr
1909 - 2005
Leo Lehr
January 19, 1909 - July 23, 2005
Leo was born in Emery, South Dakota to Jacob and Magdalena Mettler Lehr. He was the fourth of seven children. The family moved to Menno, South Dakota shortly after Leo's birth. There were 5 boys and 2 girls: Art, Ella, Herbert, Leo, Emil, Tilmann and Irene. In 1936 Leo moved to California driving a Model A truck loaded with his Uncle Fred Mettler's furniture. He started working in the potato sheds in Tehachapi and Edison area where he met and married Leta Mae Crow in 1939. They were married for 56 years at Leta's passing in 1996. Leo and Leta had two children: Ronald born September 28, 1940, and Janis born October 22, 1945. Leo started farming potatoes in 1938 with an 80-acre field. I n 1942 his brother, Emil, joined in the operation forming Lehr Brothers. They farmed together for 45 years. Today, the company is one of the larger potato operations in California with his son, Ron and grandsons, Ron Jr. and Scott Pursel running the business. Leo had the reputation for being one of the best potato growers in Kern County as well as an honest and generous man.
He was a charter member of Grace Reformed Church which was founded in 1945 and was its oldest member at his death. After Leo retired, he enjoyed spending time in Morro Bay (on the golf course) and had been a member of Bakersfield Country Club for many years. He could be seen on the golf course with his best friend, Dr. David Ardell, three times per week up until the time of his illness. He liked the silver tees because he could shoot his age once in a while. He also cherished the time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He especially enjoyed his birthday celebrations at the club. He enjoyed sports and was an avid Dodger and Lakers fan. Leo is preceded in death by his parents and loving wife, Leta; brothers, Art, Herbert, Emil and Tilmann; sister, Ella; sisters-in-law, Elsie Lehr, Esther Lehr and Marion Lehr; son-in-law, Douglas Pursel. Leo is survived by his sister, Irene Lehr of San Francisco; son, Ronald and daughter, Janis Pursel; grandchildren, Leslie Shae Lehr of Oregon, Ronald Jr. (Shelly), Scott (Belinda), all of Bakersfield, Dr. Jeffrey Pursel (Susan) of New York and John Pursel (Shelly) of New Jersey; great-grandchildren, Austin Lehr, Tanner Lehr, James Bottoms II and Colin Pursel; many nieces, nephews and friends. In lieu of flowers the family request that you make a contribution to the Living Memorial Fund Grace Reformed Church, 430 Columbus, Bakersfield or your favorite charity.
Pallbearers are Ron Lehr Jr., Scott Pursel, Austin Lehr, Tanner Lehr, James Bottoms II, Harland Lehr, Fred Mettler and Darrell Mettler. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Jeffrey Pursel, John Pursel, Dr. David Ardell, Filmore Bender, G.W. Walker, Harlan McFarland, Herb Spitzer, Les Miller, Gene Lawhorn, Ralph ole Miller. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 27, between 4-8 p.m., at Hillcrest Mortuary, 9101 Kern Canyon Rd. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 28, 2005, at 10:00 a.m., at Hillcrest Memorial Chapel. Legacy.com
Published in the Bakersfield Californian on 7/26/2005.
Burial:
Hillcrest Memorial Park
Bakersfield
Kern County
California, USA
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1909 - 2005 (96 years)