LuElla M Lehr

LuElla Lehr, age 91, went to her Heavenly home on November 1, 2021 at
Clarkson Mt View Health Care Facility in Rapid City, SD. She was born on April Fool’s Day, 1930 to Paul and Clara (Knittel) Gramkow of rural Avon, S.D., the youngest of three children. LuElla was baptized in Zion Lutheran Church, Avon S.D. by Rev. Otto A Pinnt on May 18, 1930 and was confirmed on April 18, 1943 in the same church by Rev. Pinnt. She attended Vesper country school for seven years and the eighth grade at Zion Lutheran Parochial School in Avon. In May 1947, LuElla graduated from Avon High School. While a student, she was employed at the Avon Clarion newspaper office, learned to hand set type and gathered local news for the paper.

On October 5, 1947 she married Clarence Lehr, son of Edward G. and Anna (Dewald) Lehr of Tripp at Zion Lutheran Church in Avon. Reverend Pinnt had now baptized, confirmed and officiated at LuElla’s wedding ceremony, all at Zion Lutheran. After marriage, LuElla joined Emmaus Lutheran Church at Tripp, where she remained a life-long member. LuElla taught Sunday school at Emmaus for many years, served on the Altar committee, was an officer of the AAL and chaired numerous committees.

LuElla and Clarence farmed 5 miles west of Tripp for most of their lives. On October 5, 2005, their 58 wedding anniversary, Clarence and LuElla left the farm and moved into Tripp. Two years later, October 5, 2007 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary by riding in the Tripp-Delmont High School Homecoming parade in a 1928 Essex owned and driven by cousin Phyllis Dewald. LuElla spent the last years of her life in Clarkson Care Center, Rapid City S.D. The marriage was blessed with three children: daughters Konnie (born on her father’s 25th birthday) and Kim and son Kelly. Later, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren were added to the family. Clarence and Luella’s God children are Janice Gramkow-Dunker, Julie Schnable-Hemeyer, Larry Maag (deceased) and Albert Schmidt Jr.

A life member of Jelkin-Harms American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 142, LuElla held numerous Leadership and Chair positions at the Unit, District and State levels, culminating with being elected South Dakota State President in 1992. She also served as National Executive Committeewoman and held several National appointments. LuElla and Clarence were part of the Habitat for Humanity “building blitz” at Eagle Butte, S.D., in 1994, led by former United Stated President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn. Thirty homes were built that week, which were purchased by qualified Native American families.

LuElla was always thankful to the Lord for walking beside her and giving her the faith and strength she needed to endure a lifetime of severe spinal problems, which eventually left her unable to walk. She never lost her sense of humor, or the will to be as active as possible. Her family was always her first love and concern.

LuElla was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Clara Gramkow; brothers Eldor and Floyd (both in 1972); sister-in-law Irene Gramkow; brother-in-law Vern Goehring and husband Clarence in 2013.

She is survived by daughters Konstance (Konnie) and husband Arlo Zeitner, Bellevue NE, Kim Laber and fiancé Kevin Carlin, Sturgis SD, and son Kelly Lehr and wife Bridget, Yankton, SD; grandchildren Eric Zeitner, Bellevue, NE, Adrienne (Lehr) and husband Chris Gilberts, Tumwater, WA, Britt C Lehr, Columbia, MO, Nick Laber, Rapid City, SD, and Kristine Laber, Sturgis, SD; sister-in law Doris Goehring, of Parkston, SD; also great-grandsons Tate Alexander and Charlie Lehr Gilberts, Joedy Laber, and Greyson Zeitner and great-granddaughter Brinley C Lehr; nieces and nephews Cheryl Hofer, Jan Dunker (Bob), Les Gramkow (Daphnee), Terry Goehring (Lexine) and Tom Goehring (Debra).

Floral Tributes are posted below within the funeral program.