By HDN Staff
RUDOLPH LEHMAN
HIGHWOOD Rudolph "Rudy" Lehman, 80, of Highwood, died Monday, Aug. 7, 2000, at a Great Falls hospital from respiratory problems.
Visitation will be at Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester Thursday. Funeral is 11 a.m. Friday at the Community Bible Church in Fort Benton. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Friday at the Highland Cemetery in Great Falls.
Lehman was born Sept. 13, 1919 on the family ranch near Highwood. He grew up on the ranch and received his formal education at the Big Sag School near the Highwood Mountains.
In the 1930s, he worked for the CCC at Missoula and Neihart, building roads and bridges. He also worked as a hunting guide and packer near Augusta for several years.
Lehman married Margaret P. Collins in Great Falls on July 14, 1943. He attended the North Dakota School of Science at Wahpeton, where he studied diesel mechanics and bookkeeping.
The couple returned to Great Falls and he worked at the Ford Tractor dealership and Tietjen Motors. In 1954, they moved to Chester where Lehman and his partner, Burnham Murray, open Tiber Tractor. He sold his interest in the business to his partner in 1961.
The Lehmans remained in Chester and he farmed south of town in the Goosebill community. He also worked part time for Chester Implement. In 1975, he took over the family ranch near Highwood. The couple moved to the ranch permanently in 1986, but maintained their home in Chester.
Lehman was active in United Methodist Church, served as an assistant Boy Scoutmaster, was a city council representative, and was a member of the Liberty County Conservation District. He served on that board from 1969 to 2000.
In Highwood, Lehman was active in Fort Benton's Community Bible Church. He also belonged to Great Falls Eagle Lodge and was a life-member of the NRA.
Lehman's hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping and traveling. He enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and reading, playing the harmonica and violin, and all levels of baseball from Little League to the Great Falls Dodgers, college and big leagues.
Lehman was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Frank, Henry and Bill; and four sisters, Catherine, Christine, Alma and an infant sister.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret of Highwood; daughters, Carolyn Kirsch of Port Angeles, Wash. and Donna Kanewishcer of Shelby; son, Mel Lehman of Gainesville, Fla.; seven grandchildren, and many nephews, nieces and cousins.
Memorials may be given to "Impact Ministries," in care of Community Bible Church in Fort Benton.
Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester.
