Donald Lehman

“Who has more fun than people?” That was Don’s favorite saying and I can hear him saying it now.

Don was born on Sept. 9, 1932, during the midst of the Depression, to Ruth and Frank Lehman. Graduating from Wisconsin High in 1951, where he was named ‘Athlete of the Year,’ he moved on to Lawrence College (University) where he played varsity basketball, enrolled in the U.S. Air Force ROTC program, was a member of Beta Phi Eta Fraternity, and in 1955 received his Bachelor of Science degree. It was at the first Lawrence Freshman Mixer that Don met his life partner, Rosemary Freeman. They were pinned and engaged during the course of their four years of college and married 13 days after graduation on June 25. Don and Rosemary lived in Madison, with Don working at Vogel Brothers Building Company for nine months, until his first Air Force assignment.

While in the Air Force, First Lieutenant Don and Rosemary lived in Kinston, N.C.; Lubbock, Texas (where their first son was born); and Great Falls, Mont., where Don flew KC-97’s for refueling B-52’s and B-47’s. Returning to Madison in 1959 after the death of his father, Don took over his dad’s position at Vogel Brothers Building Company until retiring in 1994. Don enjoyed his part-time jobs after retirement…a construction bidding consultant, product assembler at Walmart, security guard at the Madison Airport, and a van driver for UW-Madison Hospitals…where you could often hear him sing “Good Morning to You” to the nurses he transported from the parking lot to the hospital and doing a little dance. “Who has more fun than people?”

Both Don and Rosemary loved family and adventure. Don was a wonderful, caring father for their five children and while raising their family they both gathered wonderful memories of traveling and vacationing throughout the United States in their station wagon and rental campers. Then after their family “flew the nest” they continued their adventures with family get-togethers in Northern Wisconsin and Florida. During this time, Don and Rosemary extended their travels outside the United States, traveling to 22 countries and meeting many wonderful friends. They were also both consummate Packers' fans.

Don supervised the building of their three homes in Madison, Monona, and their present home in Pleasant Springs “Longwood Prairie,” where Don loved riding on his tractor, helping to plant the tall grass prairie and flower prairies with his wife, Rosemary, and plowing their 770 foot driveway in the winter. Don loved his faith and was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and later St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church. At St. Stephen’s Don especially enjoyed ushering, being a member of the Building and Grounds Committee, and shopping for the Food Pantry.   

Don and Rosemary celebrated their 67^th anniversary this year. Their amazing family of five children and their spouses include, Jeffery (Debi) Lehman, Sandra (Allen) Foss, Lynda Tenpas, Susan (Homer) Simpson, and Peter (Melissa) Lehman; as well as 20 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ruth Lehman; his brother, Robert Lehman; sister, Doris Kitson; two grandchildren, Brandon and Luke Tenpas; and a niece, Siri (Kitson) Weston.

We would like to thank the staff at Stoughton Urgent Care, as well as Dr. West, Don’s nurse, Patty, and the other Respiratory staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for their gentleness and kindness.

In the spring there will be an Honor Guard Ceremony in Veterans Park in Stoughton and a prairie burn for Don’s celebration of life. His ashes will be scattered on Longwood Prairie, Don and Rosemary’s home property. The time and date will be announced, as weather permits.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted in Don's name to St. Stephen's Food Pantry, Lutheran World Services, and the Nature Conservancy. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Stoughton

Funeral & Cremation Care

1358 Highway 51 N. @ Jackson St.

(608) 873-4590