Mary Lehr

Mary Esther (Schnabel) Lehr, 97, of Truman passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont. A time for visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 5– 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Truman with the Rev. Carol Mapa officiating. Burial will take place at Ridgelawn Cemetery.

Mary was born on Sept. 28, 1926, in Burnstad, N.D., to Daniel and Grace May (Farnam) Schnabel. She graduated in 1944 from Wishek, N.D., and attended two summers at Ellendale, N.D., Teachers College. Mary taught first through eighth grade in a one-room country school for two years. On Nov. 10, 1946, she married the love of her life, Elmer August Lehr. The couple lived in Napoleon, N.D., until 1961 when they moved to Truman. Mary then did factory work for four years in Madelia and 20 years at Stokley’s in Fairmont before retiring in 1986. After retirement she chose to continue to work cleaning houses and helping in the cafeteria at the Truman Public School.

Mary was welcoming and kind. She enjoyed being with people and often invited others to play cards, have a meal or to just sit around and talk. Mary grew up on the plains of North Dakota with her parents and eight siblings. She lived on a farm during the great depression and World War 2. She knew how to be satisfied with lesser things and was very appreciative and generous with what she had. Mary encountered many trials during her life and it was her humble faith in the Lord that sustained her.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Truman, Rachel Circle, W.E.L.C.A, American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, ARC Association and Marathon Card Club.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Ronald (Paulette) Lehr of Northrop, Rodger (Debbie) Lehr of Litchfield, Roxanne Lehr of Fairmont and Paulette (Kevin) Lutterman of Truman; seven grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; three great-great- grandchildren; brother, Charles; and sisters Dena, JoAnne, Betty and Becky.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; brother, Walter; sisters, LaVerne and Edna; and many in-laws.