Ray Lehmann, age 87, of Norfolk, formerly of the O'Neill area, passed away early Saturday morning, Feb. 2, 2013, at the Norfolk Veteran's Home in Norfolk.

Visitation was held Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, from 5-8 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service, at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday (today), Feb. 7, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in O'Neill with Rev. Craig Collins officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Terry Kloppenborg and soloist, Mike Durre.

Pallbearers are Michael Whiting, Ernest Whiting, Delbert Whiting, James LaRue, Larry Kaczor and Richard Burtwistle.

Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be at the Page Cemetery at 2 p.m., with military rites provided by the Page American Legion Post #315.

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill is in charge of arrangements.

Ray was born on July 13, 1925, in Pierce to Fred and Dorothy (Grimm) Lehmann. He was baptized in August of 1925 at the Zion's Lutheran Church in Mission, SD. His education was in Mission, SD, where he received his schooling through the eighth grade.

In June of 1945 Ray was called into the military and he served in Kobe, Japan with the Kobe Quarter Master Unit. He received his discharge in December of 1947.

Ray married Mavis Leona Pierce on May 31, 1948, in Mission, SD. To this union four children were born, Duane, Dennis, Floyd and Lois. 

In October of 1950 Ray was called back into military service, he was stationed at Fort Belvair, VA, with the 9829 T.S.U. Engineer Center. He was a heavy equipment parts clerk until his discharge in November of 1951.

Ray returned to Valentine, in the Sandhills, working in ranching and farming. He also ranched and farmed in the Chambers and Ericson areas. Ray retired in August of 1987 and moved to Page where he worked for the City of Page and area farmers.

His wife, Mavis, passed away in June of 1990. In January of 1994 Ray moved to Norfolk until March of 2007 when he moved to O'Neill. In 2009 Ray returned to Norfolk where he lived at the Vets Home. 

He was a lifetime member of the Norfolk VFW and the Page American Legion Post #315. He was past commander of the Chambers American Legion Post #320.

Ray is survived by two sons, Duane Lehmann and wife, Linda of Norfolk and Dennis Lehmann and wife, Marian of O'Neill; one daughter, Lois Whiting and husband, Clayton of Page; one daughter-in-law, Rae Ann Lehmann of Dunning; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Albert Lehmann of Rapid City, SD; one sister, Hildegard Schemm of Valentine; one brother-in-law, Robert Pierce of Winner, SD,  and one sister-in-law, Carol Schubauer of Valentine.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, one sister and one son, Floyd.