1924
Waltraut
2016
Waltraut Lehmann
August 25, 1924 — April 8, 2016
Waltraut Salzer Lehmann, age 88, departed this life on Friday Morning, April 8, 2016, at her Daughter’s home in Canyon, Texas.
Mrs. Lehmann was born on August 25, 1927 in the south of Czechoslovakia near the Bohemian Forest. During the period of 1938 to 1945 her homeland was occupied by Nazi Germany. Her father provided refuge and a good meal to soldiers (including Americans) passing through during the war, a dangerous act during those times. Mom and her family were German nationals and at the end of WWII were liberated, with some fortune of chance, by the Unites States Army (vs the Soviet Union as she reminded often). The family was processed as refugees back to Germany where they settled in Rauenthal (near the Rhein Mein area). Mom babysat for American Soldier families after the war and worked at the Kurhaus in Wiesbaden.
Mom met and married Adolf Lehmann having to wait until the age of 21 as her father would not allow it. Seven years later after years of seeking to immigrate to the United States they were granted immigration status and headed to the US with two three month olds in tow. Still saddened by the loss of a brother and the family home, where her father had his furniture shop and little farm, and now by leaving their extended families behind they bravely departed for White Deer, Texas, where the Owen family would be their sponsors. Having arrived with only a few pieces of cloths, a pot, a few pieces of silver ware and a coffee pot without a lid Mom was always so appreciative of the kindness of their sponsors and neighbors. She remembered their first Christmas in White Deer fondly especially the many chocolate candy boxes she received as gifts. The candy came in handy as she walked a crying colicky baby around and around.
Raising five children single handedly Mom’s proudest accomplishments were her children. All of her children had at least two years of college with one receiving a Master’s in Rehabilitation and two with bachelor degrees (education, social work and nursing). Although she wasn’t good at telling you how proud she was of you she was. In December her first Great grandchild was born to her pediatrician granddaughter and future surgeon grand son-in-law parents. At Mom’s house there was no such thing as skipping school and getting away with it. Talking back or getting in trouble with the law. Not eating what was served, “you’ve never starved”. There was never a meal without a vegetable (“Wegetables”), no matter how little money there was she always found a way to feed us and she was a great cook! She was grateful for the people of Fritch (especially the Howard family) that helped her so many times and gave her work as a housekeeper. Mom’s second proudest accomplishment was becoming a United States Citizen. Mom’s idea of a good night’s sleep was dreaming of cleaning the house. Ugh!! And her recent human pleasures were trips out to the doctors, to get a haircut and a chicken burger from Wendy’s. Thanks Lynn!!
Ms. Lehmann is survived by her Brothers Herwig Salzer and wife Anna Marie of Rauenthal Germany, Anja Uwe, Hanna and Luis of Rauenthal Germany. Brother Werner Salzer of Germany. Her Children - Lulu Lehmann of Canyon, Burgi Lehmann of Canyon. Gunnar Steve Lehmann and Pam (Slaughter) of Lubbock; Amber, Barrett and Thaddeous Cromeens of Columbus Ohio; Christopher and Brandi (Doyle) Lehmann of Houston; Cassondra (Cassie) and Andrew Ladd of Dallas. Elizabeth Ann Lehmann of Michigan, Robert Lehmann, Andrew Jason (AJ), and Ashley Lehmann of Ames Iowa. Friends Lynn and John.
A special thank you to Mom’s doctor’s – Dr. Mohamedaouf Kaznadar, Dr. Joaquin Martinez-Arrares, Dr. Jesus Sahad, and Dr. Cesar Arias.
There will be no services as Mrs. Lehmann requested.
Family requests memorials to Snack Pak for kids, High Plains Food Bank, Heal the City-Amarillo, West Texas A&M, Texas Tech University, Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle – Refugee Services, or Refugee Services of Texas – www.rstx.org.
Mrs. Lehmann was born on August 25, 1927 in the south of Czechoslovakia near the Bohemian Forest. During the period of 1938 to 1945 her homeland was occupied by Nazi Germany. Her father provided refuge and a good meal to soldiers (including Americans) passing through during the war, a dangerous act during those times. Mom and her family were German nationals and at the end of WWII were liberated, with some fortune of chance, by the Unites States Army (vs the Soviet Union as she reminded often). The family was processed as refugees back to Germany where they settled in Rauenthal (near the Rhein Mein area). Mom babysat for American Soldier families after the war and worked at the Kurhaus in Wiesbaden.
Mom met and married Adolf Lehmann having to wait until the age of 21 as her father would not allow it. Seven years later after years of seeking to immigrate to the United States they were granted immigration status and headed to the US with two three month olds in tow. Still saddened by the loss of a brother and the family home, where her father had his furniture shop and little farm, and now by leaving their extended families behind they bravely departed for White Deer, Texas, where the Owen family would be their sponsors. Having arrived with only a few pieces of cloths, a pot, a few pieces of silver ware and a coffee pot without a lid Mom was always so appreciative of the kindness of their sponsors and neighbors. She remembered their first Christmas in White Deer fondly especially the many chocolate candy boxes she received as gifts. The candy came in handy as she walked a crying colicky baby around and around.
Raising five children single handedly Mom’s proudest accomplishments were her children. All of her children had at least two years of college with one receiving a Master’s in Rehabilitation and two with bachelor degrees (education, social work and nursing). Although she wasn’t good at telling you how proud she was of you she was. In December her first Great grandchild was born to her pediatrician granddaughter and future surgeon grand son-in-law parents. At Mom’s house there was no such thing as skipping school and getting away with it. Talking back or getting in trouble with the law. Not eating what was served, “you’ve never starved”. There was never a meal without a vegetable (“Wegetables”), no matter how little money there was she always found a way to feed us and she was a great cook! She was grateful for the people of Fritch (especially the Howard family) that helped her so many times and gave her work as a housekeeper. Mom’s second proudest accomplishment was becoming a United States Citizen. Mom’s idea of a good night’s sleep was dreaming of cleaning the house. Ugh!! And her recent human pleasures were trips out to the doctors, to get a haircut and a chicken burger from Wendy’s. Thanks Lynn!!
Ms. Lehmann is survived by her Brothers Herwig Salzer and wife Anna Marie of Rauenthal Germany, Anja Uwe, Hanna and Luis of Rauenthal Germany. Brother Werner Salzer of Germany. Her Children - Lulu Lehmann of Canyon, Burgi Lehmann of Canyon. Gunnar Steve Lehmann and Pam (Slaughter) of Lubbock; Amber, Barrett and Thaddeous Cromeens of Columbus Ohio; Christopher and Brandi (Doyle) Lehmann of Houston; Cassondra (Cassie) and Andrew Ladd of Dallas. Elizabeth Ann Lehmann of Michigan, Robert Lehmann, Andrew Jason (AJ), and Ashley Lehmann of Ames Iowa. Friends Lynn and John.
A special thank you to Mom’s doctor’s – Dr. Mohamedaouf Kaznadar, Dr. Joaquin Martinez-Arrares, Dr. Jesus Sahad, and Dr. Cesar Arias.
There will be no services as Mrs. Lehmann requested.
Family requests memorials to Snack Pak for kids, High Plains Food Bank, Heal the City-Amarillo, West Texas A&M, Texas Tech University, Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle – Refugee Services, or Refugee Services of Texas – www.rstx.org.
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