Patricia J. (Bunsen) Lehman

Memorial Services for Patricia J. (Bunsen) Lehman will be conducted from the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, Nebraska on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Cathi Braasch, officiating.

Patricia Joyce (Bunsen) Lehman, 76 years of age, of Bertrand, Nebraska, passed away on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at the Elwood Care Center in Elwood, Nebraska. Patricia was born March 17, 1934 at Holdrege, Nebraska, the daughter of Alfred C. and Ruby O. (Anderson) Nelson. As a young girl, she received her primary education in Phelps County, Nebraska and Denver, Colorado. The family then returned to Bertrand, where Pat graduated from Bertrand High School with the class of 1951. She was confirmed at the Westmark Evangelical Free Church, north of Loomis, Nebraska by the Reverend Ernest Johnson and later in years was baptized at the Hope Lutheran Church.

On August 19, 1951, Pat was united in marriage to Gene R. Bunsen and to this union four children were born: Steve, Loretta, Janis and Joyce. The family made their home on the farm northeast of Smithfield until moving into Bertrand in 1984. Pat loved life on the farm, and could often be found working side-by-side with her husband, Gene. Her favorite time of the year was harvest, and loved loading up the grandkids in the truck with her. In 1996, the couple retired from farming, yet remained involved in the family farming operation. On November 25, 1998, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gene.

In the following years, Pat renewed a high school friendship with Cal Lehman and the couple were married on May 8, 2000. They enjoyed life together, dividing their time between Bertrand and St. Petersburg, Florida.

Pat was a member of the Hope Lutheran Church, where she was active in many capacities and also an associate member of the Paradise Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, and making sure they were all fed was her hobby.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Cal Lehman of St. Petersburg; one son, Steve Bunsen of Smithfield; three daughters: Loretta Richards and son-in-law, Glen Richards both of Holdrege; Janis Olesen and her husband, Tom of Smithfield, and Joyce Way and her husband, Ken of Smithfield; five step-children: David Lehman and his wife, Jackie of Centreville, Virginia, Daniel Lehman and his wife, Judy of Largo, Florida, Jeanette DeQuinze and her husband, Robert of Montrose, Colorado, Stephen Lehman and his wife, Linda of St. Petersburg and Kathryn Forte and her husband, Dexter of Sweetwater, Tennessee; eleven grandchildren: Geolene Schaller and her husband, Dan of Gilbert, Arizona, Amanda Wagner and her husband, Ron of Bertrand, Heather Bunsen of Las Vegas, Nevada,
Sgt. Lauren Bunsen of Kearney, Nebraska (serving in Iraq), Shane Richards of Lincoln, Nebraska, Suzanne Nantkes and her husband, Brady of Lincoln, Shannon Hueftle and her husband, Bobby of Bertrand, Drew Olesen and his wife, Jessie of Bertrand, Adriane Olesen of York, Nebraska, Vanji Vosler and her husband, Shad of Bertrand, and Dusty Way and his wife, Casandra of Bertrand; 13 step grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 2 step great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ruth Renken of Smithfield; and a host of other relatives and friends. Besides her first husband, Gene and her parents; she was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Emil Renken.

There will be no public visitation, the family is honoring Pat's wish for an immediate family viewing and a private family interment prior to the Memorial Service.

A memorial has been established in her memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.