Sylvia (Kopitzke) Lehmann

Sylvia Lehmann passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at the Johnson Memorial Home in Dawson at the age of 90. 

Funeral services will held on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at 11:00 Am at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson.  Rev. Kendall Stelter and Intern Pastor Matthew Garavalia will officiate and interment will be at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Tyro Township.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, from 5-7:00 PM at Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson and at the church for one hour before the service.

Sylvia Arlene (Kopitzke) Lehmann was born September 3, 1928 in Dawson, MN the third child of Adolph and Elizabeth (Puchalski)  Kopitzke. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Omro in rural Boyd, Minnesota. She attended country school at District 94 in Yellow Medicine County and graduated from Dawson High School in 1945. Following graduation she moved to Minneapolis to attend the Minneapolis School of Business and after completing her training worked at the University of Minnesota Department of Health. In 1951 she married Walter Lehmann and to this union four sons were born. Sylvia was an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Tyro in rural Boyd where she was a Sunday School teacher and the Sunday School Superintendent for many years. Sylvia was an active farm wife and mother for many years but as the boys grew older she began working outside the home as a cook and bartender in Dawson for the VFW and years later as the manager of the American Legion. Sylvia was also well known in the Watson area because of her years managing the Watson Liquor Store. At the end of her working career she was a cook for the Co-op Café where she developed many great friendships with the wait staff and dishwashers. Sylvia was an excellent cook and baker which resulted in her children and grandchildren requesting her special desserts, scalloped potatoes and pies for family gatherings. Sylvia always had a soft heart for animals. Over the years the family had numerous dogs (big or small) and cats, as well as birds and guinea pigs. Everyone that knew Sylvia appreciated her lively spirit and enjoyment in life as she loved to spend time celebrating with friends and family.

Sylvia is survived by her three sons: Dean (Pam) Lehmann of Boyd, James Lehmann of Dawson and Randy Lehmann of Willmar; six grandchildren: Alicia, Christiana, Chantel, Shawn, Jacob and Andrew; as well as four great-granddaughters: Carmen, Thea, Skylar and Izobel; her sister Alyce Nelson of Northfield; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Sylvia was preceeded in death by her toddler son, Gary; her parents Adolph and Elizabeth; her sister Doris Bruhn; brothers Arnold Kopitzke and Ronald Kopitzke; brothers-in-law Harry Bruhn and Vernon Nelson; sisters-in-law Lillian Kopitzke and Bonnie Kopitzke.

Blessed be her memory.