Lyle Eugene Lehman, died peacefully on October 3, 2021, at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center, Iowa, at the age of 91.
Lyle was born on March 21, 1930, to Imogene (Holmes) and Lawrence “L.J.” Lehman on the family’s farm north of Adair, Iowa. He attended country school, then graduated from Adair High School in 1947. Following his graduation, Lyle continued working the family’s Century Farm with his father, later becoming Lehman Land Corporation’s first President.
On July 22,1951, he married Velma Downing at the First Presbyterian Church of Adair. They were blessed with a son, Lynn, and daughter, Bonita. Followed by four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lyle loved his community. He served on the Adair Chamber of Commerce from 1985-2003, and the Hillcrest Apartments Board. One of his favorite involvements
was the Chuckwagon/Jesse James Days festivities. He was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church of Adair, for 70 years.
Following Velma’s death, he became an active member in the Singles in Agriculture organization, where he was delighted to meet new friends and attend various events across the country. If you knew Lyle, you knew he lived life by the organization’s motto, “you’re only a stranger once, then you’re a friend forever”.
Lyle is survived by his daughter, Bonita Crawford of Lubbock, TX; daughter-in-law, Donna Lehman of Iowa City; grandchildren, Kristen Thomas (Dennis) of McKinney, TX, Kari Rhoads of Lubbock, TX, Lane Lehman of St. Paul, MN, and Jessica Lehman of Des Moines; great-grandsons, Dylan and Drake Rhoads of Lubbock, TX.
In addition to his parents, Lyle was preceded in death by his wife, Velma; son, Lynn; son-in-law, Michael Crawford; and sisters, Ellen Hobson and Helen Sheeder.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at the First Presbyterian Church in Adair, IA. A luncheon will be held following the funeral in the church fellowship hall. Committal service will take place at Dalmanutha Cemetery in rural Guthrie County, IA following the luncheon.
Open visitation with family present will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 8, 2021 at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Adair, IA.
Memorials will be directed to the First Presbyterian Church in Adair, IA in honor of Lyle, and will be designated for audio & visual equipment. They can be left or mailed to the church at 405 5th St. Adair, IA 50022
The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Adair, IA is handling the arrangements for the Lehman Family at this time.
