WALDEMAR LEHN

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WALDEMAR LEHN October 16, 1911 - March 21, 2005 Waldemar Lehn was born in the Mennonite colony of Einlage, South Russia. He was the sixth of eight children born to Isaak and Anna (Heinrichs) Lehn. His carefree childhood came to a sudden end with the Russian revolution of 1917, after which the colonies were severely persecuted by roving bands of anarchists. The Lehn family immigrated to Canada in 1923, settling temporarily in Rosthern, SK. In the following year they moved to the Hanley district to begin farming on a tract known as the Sheldon Farm. In the first few years the crops were good, but then the Great Depression and its droughts brought great hardship to the family. Yet, because of the many friends and attachments he made here as a young man, he always remembered these times as some of the best years of his life. In 1935 he left the farm and moved to Winnipeg, where he obtained employment as a machinist. He was in fact the first employee in a company that is known today as Monarch Industries. Here he became foreman and then superintendent, directing the entire operation of product development and manufacturing for over 25 years. He was very active in the affairs of the First Mennonite Church of Winnipeg, especially during its early years of expansion; he served for many years as secretary of the Church Council. He was an extraordinarily creative person. He possessed innate abilities as mechanical designer, which he put to good use in his employment, and great artistic talents, which he applied to woodcarving and bonecarving. His creations, mostly human and animal forms, are treasured by his children and grandchildren. After he retired in 1976, he devoted his time to gardening, woodworking and stonework. He spent the last seven years of his life in Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home. He was predeceased by his parents and all of his siblings. He lost his wife Sarah in 1988, and one grandson, Ira Lehn, in 1992. He is survived by two sons, Waldemar (Irmgard) and Theodor (Sharon); grandchildren, Marlis (David) Jacobson, Peter (Meline) Lehn, Nicola (Garry) Bistyak, Paul Lehn, Brenda (Stuart) Whiting and Jonathan Lehn; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will take place at the First Mennonite Church of Winnipeg on Thursday, March 24 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home, 1045 Concordia Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2K 3S7.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 24, 2005