Kenneth Lehmann, age 87, died the morning of December 26, 2015 at Fountain Springs Healthcare Center, where he had been recovering from a broken leg, complicated by a serious skin condition. Kenneth was born to Muriel and Pastor William Lehmann in the St John's Lutheran Church parsonage in Libertyville, Illinois on December 18, 1928. He was confirmed in his fathers' church in the spring of 1942 and he graduated from Libertyville Township High School in 1946.He entered the service (Army National Guard) during the Korean War, 1952 – 1954 and was sent to Germany as part of the Occupation Force at Dachau. He was married to Joan Dixon on June 9, 1957 at the Church of Peace in Rock Island, IL by his father, Pastor William Lehmann. He was a skilled apprentice in tool and die work. Later he obtained an Associate Degree in Machine Design at the College of Lake County where he also became an instructor there in his field. His final place of employment was Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He worked there for 13 years and said he was happy to go to work every morning to serve the graduate and doctoral students in the Material Science program.

Kenneth's life was wholeheartedly dedicated to his family and church. He worked tirelessly for both. He sought to honor God in everything he did. After moving his family to Mundelein, Il., he became a member of a mission church named Faith Lutheran. Here he volunteered to lead a crew who refinished all of the donated oak pews. He inherited a great bass singing voice and could read music; therefore all choir directors were pleased to have him in their choirs. His love of music led him to become involved in community organizations. This included the Hough Vocalaires in Libertyville, Il, in which he performed special numbers with his brother, Buck, in a Barbershop quartet. He also sang in later years with Choral Dynamics and shared the love of singing with his daughter Kaye, in which they participated in bi-annual benefit concerts performed for the local community. Ken was also an excellent handyman and well known especially in the family as "Mr. Fix-It". Additionally, he was an avid believer in the "Do –It-Yourself" philosophy and demonstrated great insight and skill in these areas. He lovingly shared and working side by side together, passed down this wonderful legacy to his son, Douglas. After he retired and moved to Surprise, AZ, he found another mission church (Spirit of the Desert) and quickly found ways to help the pastor as the church grew. Ken's casita became the church office and his home was where the pastor held his weekly bible studies. In 2002, the lure of the grandchildren brought him to Rapid City, SD and he and Joan gave up their Arizona retirement home. He spent his final years watching his grandchildren grow and thrive. He was never sorry that he left Arizona or Illinois. He followed God's plan as he best understood it for his whole life and was blessed beyond measure. One such blessing was his Christian scrollwork he has done for the last seven years for Chapel in the Hills. Many have been touched and blessed by his crafted skill that reflected his faith shared with the Lord, Jesus Christ he loved. During this past year, Ken and his wife, Joan, partnered as prayer warriors, guided by Ephesians 6:13-18. They prayed together and shared a weekly prayer ministry lifting up concerns for family friends and those in need in their home church, Trinity.

Kenneth is survived by Joan, his wife of 58 years and two children; Kaye Lehmann and Dr. Douglas Lehmann and wife, Stephanie Lehmann of Rapid City. Surviving grandchildren include Hana (Wes) Willison of Morton, PA, Robert Lehmann, Maya Lehmann, Sarah Lehmann, Chris Lehmann and Tina Lehmann, all of Rapid City. Kenneth has five surviving brothers and two sisters. His sisters include Phyllis Lehmann and Judith Yerkey of El Cajon, CA. Lehm,ann family brothers include William (Carol) Toronto, WA, Quentin (Joan) of El Cajon, CA, Gilbert of Valparaiso, Indiana, Buck (Alice) from Oceanside, CA and Joel (Christie) from Valparaiso, IN. In addition, also are remembered his special God-nieces, Cathy (Jim) Wilk from Richfield, WI and Susan Lehmann from Alaska, in addition to a multitude of other extended family and special friends who were blessed to have known, loved him and were touched by his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church's Prayer Park or Compassion International.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 1, 2016 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. A prayer service immediately following the visitation on January 1, will be held at 7:00pm. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 402 Kansas City St. with Pastor Wilbur Holz. Interment will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 4, at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors near Sturgis, friends may meet at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home at 9:00am to process.

An online guest register is available at www.osheimschmidt.com.