Ruth I. Lehman

Ruth Lehman lost her battle with cancer on June 11th, 2016. Ruth was a strong, positive role model to all who knew and loved her and she never let cancer change that. Ruth was born on December 27th, 1934 in Mondovi, WI. She was the second of three children born to Lawrence and Frances Hanson. She grew up in Eau Claire, but moved back to Mondovi when she married Allen Lehman on May 26th, 1956. They just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past May. Ruth and Allen moved to a 90 acre hobby farm north of Mondovi in 1963 where they raised their three children. They felt farm life would inspire in their kids family values, a strong work ethic and a love of animals. Ruth had many talents, one of them that she used often was cake decorating. She made special cakes for all of her family’s birthday and anniversary celebrations. Perhaps her favorite hobby was taking photographs of her family and friends and chronicling their events in scrapbooks. Her scrapbooks fill a closet. Ruth had a zest for life and always loved to try something new. She went to several “camps”, skied, biked and even rollerbladed. Ruth was active in Mondovi’s Theatre group and landed the lead in the longest running play at Fanny Hill’s dinner Theatre in Eau Claire. She loved her church and community and was very active in both. In 1987, Ruth purchased Arleen’s Shoppe. This fulfilled both her love of fashion and owning her own business. She had many fun times at the store from putting on style shows, to attending market, to creating the best costumes for Crazee Days. Women would come from miles away just to have her help them find that perfect outfit for that special occasion. Twenty five years ago Ruth and Allen moved to their dream home in town, complete with a swimming pool. It was a home built for entertaining which was another love of Ruth’s; she did this with style and grace. Ruth and Al spent many wonderful years here with their friends, kids and grandkids as the swimming pool was a great place to congregate. Ruth was all about family and took a lot of wonderful trips with her two daughters including a cruise, NYC, Hawaii and Italy. She also took several trips with her treasured group of LNO friends who meant the world to her. She looked forward to her monthly “meetings” with them. Any time she could, she spent time with her three grandchildren attending their games and school events. Ruth is survived by her husband, Allen, her three children, Cindy (Terry) Brenner of Wausau, Jan Brenner of Eau Claire and Rick (Jean) Lehman of Eau Claire; three grandchildren Lucas Lehman, Maggie and Mitch Brenner, and her two brothers, Jerry Hanson and Jim Hanson. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Frances Hanson, and her granddaughter Kaitlin Marie Brenner. A memorial service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Mondovi on Friday, June 17, 2016 at 11 am with Pastor Paul Woebbeking officiating. A visitation will be held at Talbot Family Funeral Homes - Mondovi Chapel on Thursday, June 16, 2016 from 4:00-7:00 pm and then again at church from 10:00 am until the time of service. Lastly, a special thank you to all of her wonderful friends and family who were a constant source of strength for both Ruth and her family. The continual cards, flowers, food and visits were unbelievable and appreciated more than you will ever know. She loved all of you so much.