Kay Owen Lehmann

December 20, 1940 - December 14, 2021

How do you sum up a life in a few paragraphs? It is impossible, particularly when you are describing Kay Owen Lehmann, a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend who was beloved by so many. Kay, a proud Cherokee Indian, came into this world in Hastings, Oklahoma, on December 20, 1940, as the daughter of Gladys and Harlan Owen. Along with sisters, Carol, Leanne, Jeanne, and brother Harlan “Buddy”, this was her first family. She went to elementary school in Pearsall, Texas, and Carrizo Springs Junior High where her daddy gave the graduation speech, proudly honoring her as the salutatorian of the class! Kay’s daddy, the inventor of the root plow, worked for Caterpillar, and this led the family to Peoria, Illinois. Kay graduated from Peoria High School in 1958 but returned to Texas as fast as she could to attend Durham Business College. It was here that she met the love of her life, Bobby Lehmann, with whom she would spend the next 60 years creating her own family and legacy. Their first date, dancing and drinking 10 cent beers, eventually led to a trip down the aisle on July 22, 1961, at the First United Methodist Church of Giddings with a reception at Ledbetter Hall. Giddings, and more specifically Ledbetter, would be where they planted their roots with the establishment of Lehmann Ranch on July 3, 1973. Kay and Bobby welcomed daughters Laurie on December 6, 1964, and Wendy on June 22, 1971. Though Kay was raised in the Methodist Church and Bobby in the Lutheran Church, Jesus loves all his sheep wherever they may pasture. Therefore, as a young married couple, they became members of the Church of Christ where they taught Sunday School and worked with the youth. While Kay’s most important and proudest profession was being a loving mother to Laurie and Wendy and supportive partner and wife to Bobby, there were several jobs she truly enjoyed; notably, her time as the secretary to the Secretary of State at the capitol in Austin, working at The School for the Deaf (while Bobby was in the Army), working at Invader Boats in Giddings, and earning a pink Cadillac as a Director with Mary Kay Cosmetics. During their long and storied marriage and partnership, Kay supported Bobby in growing their Texaco business, oilfield trucking business, and cattle ranching business. And, just as Jesus began his ministry after being baptized in the Jordan River, Kay was baptized in Woodward, Oklahoma, as an adult. She and Bobby continued their ministry as current members of Soul Cafe Church in Ledbetter, Texas. However, it can’t be emphasized enough that Kay’s biggest achievement was her family; her husband, daughters, sons-in-laws, and her precious grandchildren. Kay was simply an amazing Gram to Ashley, Richard, Lily, and Coco. Kay was larger than life. She loved life and she loved to love. She was everyone’s, particularly her family’s, biggest cheerleader. More than anything else, family was the most important thing to Kay. Twice a year, the women in her family would come together for their famous "Girl’s Weekends". These women were her best friends, and the weekends were legendary. A few facts about Kay: • She loved to play bridge and was an instructor to many. You wanted Kay as your partner and you wanted to be her Dummy. • Coming from a lineage of players, she loved tennis. • She was a Trivial Pursuit master and a Scrabble champion. • As the original “Google”, she could be your “Lifeline” if you were ever on ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire?’ • An avid reader her whole life, she loved Nancy Drew books as a child. • She was a talented artist, had a creative eye, and was an amazing cook. • A favorite past time was watching football with Bobby. She was a tv junkie. Kay died in Houston, Texas, on December 14, 2021, due to complications from pneumonia. She is preceded in death by her parents, Gladys and Harlan Owen, and brother-in-laws Lynn Lehmann and Wayne Lehmann. She is survived by her husband, Bobby Lehmann; daughter Laurie Jurk along with her son-in-law Russell Jurk and her beloved grandchildren Ashley and Richard Jurk; and daughter Wendy Yu along with her son-in-law Leash Yu and beloved grandchildren Lily and Coco Yu. She is also survived by her siblings and their significant others Carol Whitten (Bill Wright), Leanne (Perry) Scott, Harlan “Buddy” (Susie) Owen, and Jeanne (Eric) Rosen, sisters-in-law Julie Lehmann and Janet Lehmann and many cousins, nieces, nephews, many, many loving relatives and many wonderful friends. Those of us left here on earth have an aching in our hearts and an emptiness in our souls as we say goodbye to Kay. But we turn to Scripture which reminds us that this is not our final home and that we must rejoice as she dances in Heaven. Psalm 121: 1-2 I lift up my eyes to the mountains —where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings with Doug Tipps officiating. A private family committal service will be held at a later date. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 17, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, December 18,2021 from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings. The Lehmann family will be present for visitation Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The family would like to invite you to join them immediately following the funeral for fellowship, hugs, tears, and laughter. A prepared meal of barbecue brisket, homemade sides and desserts will be shared with love! Ledbetter Fire Station Community Center 301 W Labadie St Ledbetter, Texas 78946 KAY OWEN LEHMANN MEMORIAL FUND In her memory, and in lieu of flowers, we would love to plant trees on the family ranch to memorialize her strength and grace. She was rooted in God’s word and the branches will symbolize her loving arms comforting us. A portion of your generosity will also be donated to Soul Cafe Church in Ledbetter, Texas to support her passion for the youth. Donation address: Kay Owen Lehmann Memorial Fund c/o Round Top State Bank P. O. Box 180, Giddings, TX 78942 or — Venmo to: @LeashWendyYu You are invited to view the funeral service for Kay Lehmann on your computer via the weblink below: https://zoom.us/rec/share/YWsAfDJRPgtgzehtXDk3PtGmUWcleL3482c3SvfaqEUrkMICqLPl0COXzGaLFpmr.0Cne8KlimH7MAJHx Passcode: 14XT!aUn