Leo Lehrkamp | November 1937 - January 2021
Obituaries-Pierre / Posted Jan 11, 2021 | 9:38 AM / 803 views
Leo Wayne Lehrkamp, 83, passed away January 4th, 2021 at Avera Maryhouse in Pierre, SD.
Leo was born in Sully County, November 15th, 1937 to Art and Bertha (Thorn) Lehrkamp. He was the third of seven children. The family moved to the Kiepke place at Harrold, SD in 1947 where he attended school. He received his high school diploma from the Ag School at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, thanks to Lawrence Mascher’s encouragement, whom Leo worked for throughout high school. After graduation Leo worked for Johnson Construction (A-G-E Corporation Contractors) and started Lehrkamp Fencing and Seeding in 1979.
On August 19th, 1957 Leo married the love of his life, Janice Drury. To that union they celebrated 43 years of marriage which blessed them with 9 children, 35 grandchildren, 71 great grandchildren along with 5 great-great grandchildren.
Leo’s foundation started with God. His children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were the light of his life. Leo was a man who loved to work hard, was very loving, caring and respectful. He enjoyed encouraging his children with their goals in life. Loved going to ball games, playing pinochle, wrestling matches, band concerts, bowling, playing pool, horseshoes, working on the farm, John Deere tractors and working on the fence line with his family.
He was preceded in death by a son Rodney Lehrkamp, his parents (Art & Bertha Lehrkamp), sister (Marsha Lehrkamp), grandchildren (Beth Lehrkamp, Jamie Crawford, Courtney Gholson), great grandson (Bryson Powers) and three brother-in-laws (Marvin (Shirley) Keller, Richard (Gloria) French, Red (Bea) Westall).
He is survived by his wife Wendy Lehrkamp (Shay) Pierre, SD, Ex-wife Janice Lehrkamp, Steve & Shelly, (Shane, Stacey Greve, Shan) Lehrkamp, Doreen & John, (Jerrad Krueger, Amanda (Joe) Vogel, Brian, Brandon, Chad, Nathan, Stacey Goines) Powers, Deanna Lehrkamp (Dustin (Miranda), Wayne (Melissa), Casey Crawford and Jesse Trujillo), Sussie & Marty, (Jacob, Carrie (Brad) Thomson, Shanon, Justin) Gieswein, Debbie & Warren, (Casi Hurlburt, Tyrel) Huckins, Stan Lehrkamp (Krissy Hinkhouse, Katie Richey), ShawnTae & Ryan, (Melany Atkins, Kody Atkins, Cody Johnson, Abigail Wirthele, Chance) Brown, Dodie & Scott, (Brittany Haynes, Aspynn Gholson, Rhayna, Rhayce) Barta, 35 grandchildren, 71 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He united in marriage in 2015 to Wendy Shay. Step children: Barb (Jim) Beastrom, Bobbi (Waren) Ice, Bill (Carol) Shay, 9 step-grandchildren, 16 step-great grandchildren. Surviving and loving siblings Gloria French, Shirley Keller, Darrell Lehrkamp, Bea Westall, Rhonda (Rich) Krell.
