Frederick "Don" Lehman

Don Lehman, 83, of Great Falls and formerly of Highwood, went to be with his loving Heavenly Father on March 11, 2017 surrounded by his family. Don fought a courageous battle with cancer for over a year and never once complained.Don was born on January 8, 1934 to William and Ethel Lehman of Highwood, MT. Don was raised on the family ranch, the youngest of six children. He graduated from Highwood High School in 1952. He continued to work on the ranch until 1955, when he left on an adventure that led him to Chula Vista, CA where he was a tool grinder for Willard, Lewis Grinding and Mfg. Tool Co. However, his love for the mountains called him back to the family ranch. Don met the love of his life, Ruth Tills the summer of 1960, while she was vacationing in Montana visiting relatives. After a short courtship, Don and Ruth were married on January 13, 1962 in Milwaukee, WI. They settled in on the family ranch and were blessed with two children, Lois and Todd. The years that followed were filled with the chores of daily ranch life.Don had a knack for shoeing horses and spent many hours in the barn keeping all the horses properly shoed. Through it all he still found time to take his children fishing, horseback riding or just on a hike in the mountains. He loved to name all of the wildflowers and could spot a noxious weed a mile off. Many hours were also spent in the family garden each summer.Beginning in 1984, Don started driving the school bus for Highwood School. He thoroughly enjoyed all of his kids as he called them and loved watching all of the Highwood basketball and football games. He drove faithfully for 16years. He also enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers, fishing trips with Ivan and spending time with his dear grandchildren.Don was preceded in death by his parents, brother, sister, nephew and a niece.He is survived by his wife, Ruth Lehman of Great Falls; daughter Lois (Cory) Phillips of Great Falls; son Todd (Heather) Dorociak-Lehman of Houston, TX; four grandchildren, Zachary and Sammy Phillips, and Lael and Ronen Dorociak-Lehman; sisters Betty Bowman of Highwood, Marjorie Walker of Great Falls, and Mariette Moore of Anchorage, AK; and many nieces and nephews to many to mention.A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at OConnor Memorial Chapel. Cremation has taken place through Schnider Funeral Home.Memorials are suggested to Highwood High School Scholarship Fund or Mountain View Lutheran Church.