SMITH CENTER, KS - Vanora Wilhelmine (Kuhlmann) Lehmann was born March 31, 1931 on the family farm in Athol, Kansas and passed away on June 2, 2012 with her family present in the Smith County Memorial Hospital at the age of 81. She was the youngest and only daughter born to Henry and Emma (Hermanns) Kuhlmann. Her older brothers, Bernard and Lavern, and sisters-in-law, Alvina and Blondina remained close friends all their lives. Vanora was baptized on April 19, 1931 and later confirmed on May 20, 1945 at St John’s Lutheran Church Athol, KS. Vanora attended grade school in Athol and later graduated from the Gaylord High School in 1949. After her graduation from high school, she worked at the Gaylord elevator and at Mark’s Market in Kensington. On October 8, 1950 Vanora married Leland Lehmann at the St John’s Lutheran Church, Athol, Kansas. For several years, they lived on various military bases while Leland served in the Army. To this marriage, five children were born: Dennis, Daryl, Dixie, Denton and Dirk.
Vanora was a devoted homemaker, and of her various part time jobs, she enjoyed selling Avon the most because of the ‘one on one contact’ with her customers. Vanora’s most endearing quality was showing love for her grand children and great grand children. Playing games, reading books, baking cookies, and playing dress up were some memorable events at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Halloween Night and Grandma’s Carmel apples were just as important as Christmas time and her home made cookies and candy. At Grandma’s house, the cookie jar was filled and refilled. Vanora was a private person who preferred working in her yard and flower garden more than gathering with groups to socialize. If livestock or a tractor destroyed her picture perfect blue grass lawn, the guilty party knew better than denying the deed. Red zinnias and red cannas were always found growing in her garden, and she spent many hours picking and preserving her garden produce. Baking whole-wheat cinnamon rolls or hamburger buns was her practice long before today’s trend to eat healthy. The Sunday meal of grilled hamburgers, hand cut French fries, and chocolate malts remains a family favorite. She sewed dresses as well as quilts with neat, even stitches. Landscaping, home decorating, health and devotional books filled her bookshelves. Vanora seldom passed judgment or spoke ill will of anyone, often and quickly praised her family, and always seemed to know ‘just what to say at just the right time’ when a family member needed comforting or advice. In Vanora’s life, God, her husband, and her family always came first.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Emma and Henry; her brothers, Bernard and Lavern; and great grandson, Montgomery Neussendorfer.
She is survived by her husband, Leland, of Smith Center, KS. Her sons, Dennis (Barb) Lehmann, and Daryl (Katherine) Lehmann, all of Gaylord, KS; Denton (Kathy) Lehmann of Smith Center, KS; Dirk (Roberta) Lehmann of Eudora, KS. Daughter: Dixie (Dean) Matson, from Andover, KS. Seventeen grandchildren: Aubrey (Wil) Neussendorfer, Baylee and Catlin Lehmann; T.J. (Amanda) Lehmann, Candace (Chad) Brummer, Dallas (Jessica) Lehmann; Lindsey (David) Hunter, Wesley Matson; Scott (Crystal) Lehmann, Kristopher and Spenser Lehmann; Dominic, Cecilia, Victoria, Sophia, Olivia and Derek Lehmann. Fourteen great grand children: Nolan, Hayden, Emerysn and Quintin Lehmann; Trenton and Allison Brummer; Harley Lehmann; Elijah and Silas Hunter; and Elizabeth, Cody, Nathan, Tyler and Kaitlyn Lehmann.
Special friends include: Alvina Kuhlmann, Blondina Kuhlmann, Erma Seitz, Loretta Beckmann, and Amanda McKenzie.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at the American Lutheran Church with PMA James Germer presiding.
Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Smith Center.
Visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 5PM until 8PM at the Simmons-Rentschler mortuary.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Lutheran Church or the Smith County Community Foundation and can be sent in care of the mortuary.