Leroy John Lehr

Leroy John Lehr was born on August 2,1935 to Ludwig (John) and Lillian (Scherer) Lehr near Utica, Nebraska. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Utica, Nebraska. He attended Seward High School graduating in May 1953. On June 10, 1956, Leroy was united in marriage to Marlys Garber at St John Lutheran Church, Seward. To this union two daughters were born, Lori and Linda. Leroy was employed by Russell Stover Candies in Lincoln, Nebraska as a candy maker for 9 years. He then moved back to Seward and opened Lehr Floors and Decorating Store with his best friend, his wife Marlys. A couple of challenges he faced in the flooring business were installing the original carpet on the floating steps to the balcony at St. John Church and carpeting 6 rooms of a house in one piece without any seams. He was able to find a solution to most any problem. After 35 years Leroy and Marlys retired and enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. Leroy was active in church work throughout the years starting at Faith Lutheran Church in Lincoln where both daughters were baptized. Leroy served on the school board there and at St. John as well as serving several terms on the Board of Trustees and Board of Elders at St. John. He was one of the founders of the St. John Foundation. In his free time, he enjoyed wood crafting. He loved making things for others. He was a member of Kiwanis Club of Seward where he served on several committees and also served as Club President from 2004-2005 which was the club’s 40th year. Leroy received the Kiwanian of the Year Award for 2006-2007. In March of 2009 Leroy was a charter member of the Helping Hands Kiwanis Club of Seward and served as one of its directors. After Leroy was a member of St. John Lutheran Church for over 50 years, he enrolled in the Stephen Ministry Training Program and was commissioned as a Stephen Minister on April 19, 2009. His wish was to give back what he had so abundantly received. He was blessed to have a Stephen Minister visit him over the past several months. In June of 2010 Leroy was asked to join the Cross Makers of Seward which is a group of men and women who volunteer their time to make palm crosses. The intent was to get the crosses in the hands of people that were hurting, suffering from illness, military service people and others in need. He was involved in all aspects of creating the crosses such as planing rough boards, creating patterns, placing patterns and cutting well over two thousand crosses. He was a board member of the Cross of Life Inc. Leroy passed away on July 31, 2024 in Seward, Nebraska surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Marlys Lehr of Seward, Nebraska; daughter, Linda Tegler (Don Baldwin) of Lincoln; grandchildren, Mikayla Tegler and David Tegler both of Lincoln, Keith Baldwin of Lincoln and Amy Baldwin (Brad Alexander) and their daughters Sloane, Jovie and Perry, of Bennington, NE; and beloved nieces and nephews. Leroy was preceded in death by his daughter Lori Lehr; parents Ludwig (John) and Lillian Lehr; stepfather William Meyer; brother and sister-in-law Gerald and Joan Lehr; father-in-law and mother-in-law Clarence and Hulda Garber; sister and brother-in-law Marilyn and 'Bud' Hans; niece Lynette Hans.

MEMORIALS IN CARE OF LEHR FAMILY.

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