Phyllis Jean Lehrman

Phyllis Jean Lehrman, 91, was born to Howard and Lucia Havens in Newton, KS. Phyllis was the oldest of 13 children. She attended and graduated from Newton schools. Phyllis married Otto Lehrman on May 29, 1949. In their 74 years of marriage, she and Otto set an example for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of what it meant to love one another deeply and in all things. 

Phyllis was a homemaker and worked in the kitchen for the Newton school system while her 4 boys were in school. She was active in the Eagles Ladies Auxiliary while living in Newton. However, her lifelong career was caring for her husband and 4 sons and later her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In 1984, she and Otto retired to their home in Tanglewood acres near Westcliffe, CO where they have lived independently for the last 40 years. 

Phyllis and Otto loved to travel from early in their marriage and they enjoyed many years together traveling in their RV. Their children and grandchildren were often fortunate enough to travel with them, seeing the country and creating many memories. She loved the ocean most of all and would sit and watch the waves roll in while collecting rocks on the beach. Her love of sunsets is one shared with several of her grandchildren. 

Phyllis was famous for her cooking and few things tasted better than a bowl of her chicken and homemade noodles or a coveted cream puff at a chapel potluck. Cooking was one of the ways she showed her love and compassion for others. There are many wonderful memories shared with friends and family around her table. Nothing made you feel quite as loved as a batch of her waffles on a Sunday morning or a special birthday cake made with love just for you. 

Phyllis’s passion for the mountains came by way of flowers which was instilled in her by her grandfather. She often named wildflowers as she drove along the highway and would pull off and have her grandchildren stand with them for photos through the years. She would have loved to have a large flower garden, but the rocky soil, deer, and chippies won out and she settled for hanging baskets and planters on her deck. 

Perhaps the biggest lesson she taught any of us was how to love well. She was a caretaker and always concerned with others and what they needed. She could make everyone feel welcome and cared for. She taught each of us what it means to see the good in all people and how to care for those around us. Her warmth and kindness were extended to strangers and friends alike…many of whom thought of her as their mother figure. We are so grateful for her legacy of love and our prayer is that we can carry on the lessons she taught us to future generations. She was the most beautiful person any of us have ever known.

She was greeted in eternity by her Lord on June 3, 2023. We are sure that holding her hand was her son, Dean; siblings, Clyde, Marilyn (Tiny), Vernon (Bubber), Janice, Shirley, Brenda; her parents, Howard and Lucia; grandparents, and many other close friends who preceded her.  

She is deeply missed by her family, especially her husband of 74 years, Otto. She is also remembered by her daughter-in-law, Vicki; sons, Robin (Susan), Gary (Marsha), and Kevin (Irene); grandchildren, Jeremy Lehrman, Sara Lehrman, Jody Schmidt (Craig), Jamie Giles (Ryan), Julie Lehrman, Justin Lehrman (Tara), Maggie Lehrman, Erin Rosfeld (Kerry), and Luke Lehrman (Jenna); and 23 great-grandchildren. Her presence will be missed by many other friends whom she considered family. A private family service will be held in both Colorado and Kansas at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent in her memory to Tanglewood Acres at 4624 NW 161st Edmond, OK 73013 or Sangre De Cristo Community Care: 1920 Valley Drive Pueblo, CO 81008.

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