Leila A Lehnert

Leila Agnes Lehnert, age 88 of Rapidan, died Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. John Lutheran Church in Rapidan with Rev. James Holthus officiating. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Mankato Mortuary and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Leila was born September 28, 1915 in rural Elmore to Fritz John and Alvina (Ehrich) Friedrichs. During her youth, she attended Rapidan schools and lived in North Mankato and Mankato before returning to Rapidan. On December 12, 1940, she married Clarence Carl Lehnert at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mankato.

During World War II, Leila assembled small electronics for the military. She operated the Rapidan Dam Store for several years during the war and was later joined by her husband. Leila was a teachers aide and cook at Rapidan School, where she retired as head cook.

Leila was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, where she was active with the ladies aid, quilting, and bible classes. She assisted with Echo Food Shelf and was involved with the County Extension Club and Crystalettes Kitchen Band. Leila wrote the Rapidan news column for the Lake Crystal Tribune and was an avid gardener. She enjoyed mushroom hunting, traveling, and dogs.

Survivors include two children, Marilyn Lehnert of Las Vegas, Mark Lehnert and his wife, Nardi of Cle Elum, WA; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence on October 7, 1966; and two brothers, Everett and Clarence