Ernest "Ernie" S. Lehmann, 86, Monroe, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, May 10, 2011. He was born on December 13, 1924, at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison, WI, the son of Ernst and Lena (Zemp) Lehmann. Ernie married Margaret Kueng on September 7, 1946, at St. Victor's Catholic Church, Monroe, WI. Margaret preceded him in death on April 11, 2002.
Ernie served two years in the U.S. Army. He worked for his brother-in-law Joe Jaeggi as a cheesemaker for several years; made Swiss cheese in the Pinnow factory for five years and in the Vinger-Andrews factory for eleven years; worked at R. Mueller Cheese Factory Equipment for four years; and for seventeen years worked in and became Supervisor of the St. Clare Hospital Maintenance Department until his retirement in 1988. In 1959, Ernie and Margaret bought a farm between Argyle and Monroe and lived there from 1968 until they each passed away. They raised beef cattle and actively farmed until 1990. In retirement, Ernie and Margaret enjoyed traveling, with Branson, MO, being a favorite destination. Through 2009, Ernie kept busy making wine, cutting firewood, and mowing weeds with his tractor and Bush Hog. He enjoyed reading, birdwatching, walks with Sheri's dog Brighty, watching the Packers and Badger sports and time with this grandchildren and great grandchildren, especially Heather in his final years. Ernie was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; parents Lena and Ernst; infant brother Francis Fredrich Lehmann; sisters and brothers-in-law, Gertrude and Jim Cousins, Ella and Gerald Sawdey, Lillian and Joe Jaeggi, Ervin Moellenberndt, and Kenny Wichelt; daughter-in-law Jane (Olson) Lehmann; son-in-law Gary McKillip; and nephews John "Hans" Jaeggi and Thomas Boll.
Ernie is survived by his daughter Diane (David) Wirth of Monticello,WI; sons, Dave (Cathy) Lehmann of Janesville, WI, Mark (Patti) Lehmann of Fort Atkinson, WI, Patrick (Lisa) Lehmann of Houston, TX, Thomas (Linda) Lehmann of New Berlin, WI, Tim (Bronna) Lehmann of New Glarus, WI; eight grandchildren Colette and Colleen (Diane), Sheri (Mark), Jared and Reece (Patrick), Stephen and Andrew (Thomas), and Zach (Tim); five great grandchildren Ivy (Colette) and Rachel, Katelin, Heather, and William (Sheri); and several nieces, nephews, and many other relatives including his sister-in-law Betty Wichelt of Monroe, WI.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 13, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Victor's Catholic Church, Monroe, with Father Michael Klarer officiating. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from noon until the time of service. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials would be appreciated to the Monroe Clinic Hospice or Apostolate to the Handicapped. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family. To send a condolence to the family, go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.
Ernie served two years in the U.S. Army. He worked for his brother-in-law Joe Jaeggi as a cheesemaker for several years; made Swiss cheese in the Pinnow factory for five years and in the Vinger-Andrews factory for eleven years; worked at R. Mueller Cheese Factory Equipment for four years; and for seventeen years worked in and became Supervisor of the St. Clare Hospital Maintenance Department until his retirement in 1988. In 1959, Ernie and Margaret bought a farm between Argyle and Monroe and lived there from 1968 until they each passed away. They raised beef cattle and actively farmed until 1990. In retirement, Ernie and Margaret enjoyed traveling, with Branson, MO, being a favorite destination. Through 2009, Ernie kept busy making wine, cutting firewood, and mowing weeds with his tractor and Bush Hog. He enjoyed reading, birdwatching, walks with Sheri's dog Brighty, watching the Packers and Badger sports and time with this grandchildren and great grandchildren, especially Heather in his final years. Ernie was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; parents Lena and Ernst; infant brother Francis Fredrich Lehmann; sisters and brothers-in-law, Gertrude and Jim Cousins, Ella and Gerald Sawdey, Lillian and Joe Jaeggi, Ervin Moellenberndt, and Kenny Wichelt; daughter-in-law Jane (Olson) Lehmann; son-in-law Gary McKillip; and nephews John "Hans" Jaeggi and Thomas Boll.
Ernie is survived by his daughter Diane (David) Wirth of Monticello,WI; sons, Dave (Cathy) Lehmann of Janesville, WI, Mark (Patti) Lehmann of Fort Atkinson, WI, Patrick (Lisa) Lehmann of Houston, TX, Thomas (Linda) Lehmann of New Berlin, WI, Tim (Bronna) Lehmann of New Glarus, WI; eight grandchildren Colette and Colleen (Diane), Sheri (Mark), Jared and Reece (Patrick), Stephen and Andrew (Thomas), and Zach (Tim); five great grandchildren Ivy (Colette) and Rachel, Katelin, Heather, and William (Sheri); and several nieces, nephews, and many other relatives including his sister-in-law Betty Wichelt of Monroe, WI.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 13, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Victor's Catholic Church, Monroe, with Father Michael Klarer officiating. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from noon until the time of service. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials would be appreciated to the Monroe Clinic Hospice or Apostolate to the Handicapped. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family. To send a condolence to the family, go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.