Service Information
Alberta “Birdie” Lehn, age 87, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, August 19, 2021, at Parkview Care Center in Buffalo, Minnesota.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at 11:00 A.M at St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Hutchinson. The service will be held in the gymnasium, please use the East entrance.
Interment will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at 1:00 P.M. at the Itasca Calvary Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorials are preferred to the McLeod County Foodshelf.
Alberta’s service will be livestreamed on the St. Anastasia Catholic Community Facebook Page and on the church website.
Obituary
Alberta “Birdie” Lehn was born on October 13, 1933, in St. Michael, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Gregor and Susan (Servaty) Zachman. Alberta was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in her catholic faith as a youth, both at St. Michael Catholic Church. She received her education in Little Falls, Minnesota and was a graduate with the St. Francis Catholic Boarding School in 1951.
On August 20, 1955, Alberta was united in marriage to William Lehn, Jr. at St. Michael Catholic Church. This marriage was blessed with four children, Jeffery, Debra, Rodney, and Rebecca. From St. Michael, they moved to Eveleth, Minnesota in 1962. They owned and operated “Eveleth Liquor Store” with living quarters above for 12 years. In 1974, Bill, Birdie, and their four children moved to Grand Rapids, Minnesota. They shared 34 years of marriage until the passing of Bill on July 7, 1990. Birdie worked for JCPenney until her retirement in 1997. Birdie relocated to Hutchinson in 2017.
Birdie’s active life included her love for gardening, cooking, Catholic faith, music, singing, playing piano, community events, volunteering, collecting sayings, entertaining company, walking, and nature. Birdie had numerous lifelong friendships.
Blessed be her memory.
Birdie is survived by her:
Children, Jeffery Lehn and his wife, Gail, of Hutchinson, MN,
Debra Gustafson and her husband, Tom, of Oak Grove, MN,
Rodney Lehn and his wife, Chris Chambers, of Shoreview, MN,
Rebecca Lehn and her husband, Ben Bertz, of Champlin, MN;
Grandchildren, Nathaniel Lehn and his wife, Bridget, Mackenzie Renneke and her husband, Kyle, Nikia Gustafson, Amanda Hawn and her husband, Timmy Hanson, Claire Hawn;
Great-grandchildren, Zoey Lehn, Raya Lehn, Lucy Hawn;
Sisters-in-law, Audrey Zachman of North St. Paul, MN,
Rosie Zachman of Albertville, MN;
Many other relatives and friends.
Birdie is preceded in death by her Parents, Gregor and Susan Zachman; Husband, William Lehn, Jr.; Granddaughter, Katrina Gustafson; Siblings, Philomena Laky and her husband, Paul, Arnold Zachman and his wife, Mary Alice, Alfred Zachman and Gilbert Zachman.
Roger and Peggy DeMeyer says
So sorry for your loss. Your mom will be greatly missed by all that knew her. Blessed be her memory.
Alyssa Ackerman says
I feel beyond blessed to be considered one of Birdie’s friends from way back JCPenney days. We walked in wide eyed teenagers not knowing any of the ins and outs and she welcomed us so kindly. She bridged the age gap through humor and genuine interest in who we were and what was happening in our world. She extended friendship so generously and found a way to connect with everyone. Lunches at her house were always fun with such a great array of food and laughter. I was lucky to receive one of Birdie’s hand made quote books, an album filled to the brim with little gems and insights. She gave it to me as I was making my way out into the bigger world. I still have it 30 years later, and her letters and that book I consider a cherished possession. Her impact in my life shows to the friend I am to others today. She definitely gave me a deep understanding of how to care for others unconditionally. I am so thankful to Deb for facilitating us being back in touch after all these years. It’s like time hadn’t really passed, and that’s how you recognize true friendship, which in Birdie’s case I don’t think you would ever be able to put a number on the lives she has touched.
Dean D Jones says
My condolences to the entire Lehn family, especially Jeff and Rodney with whom I worked at Gordy’s Super Value in Grand Rapids, Minnesota in the mid-1970s. I lived in northwest Grand Rapids a few blocks from the Lehn family, and through my friendship with Jeff, was introduced to Birdie when I was invited to supper one evening and later on, invited to share a day on the lake with their family at their cabin in Eveleth. She was totally unforgettable and with her sweet and bubbly disposition and boundless energy, made a deep and lasting impression on me. She was totally dedicated to her family and her church and very bold in her Catholic faith. I moved away from Grand Rapids in 1980 to pursue a career in music and ministry and have resided in Chattanooga, TN for some 30 years now. But I have never forgotten Birdie and often wondered what happened to her and her wonderful family. After forty years, I know! I look forward to seeing her in Heaven, but this time, young and strong and healthy and vitally involved in all the affairs of Heaven. She will be missed on earth, but we will see her again. Thank you , Birdie, for the wonderful life you lived and the hundreds of lives you touched. You are loved!
Jon Frimanslund says
Oh Birdie!! Words cannot describe how we feel about you and how you helped us grow just like your gardens every year!! We are so grateful to have you as a neighbor in GR! There is no one that can match your spunk! I still have memories of you jumping on a motorcycle and taking a spin! You will and always will be dearly missed in our hearts!! We love you!! The Frimanslund’s!!
Betty Watson says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you – Birdie was a wonderful friend. Will miss her but happy she no longer has to suffer.
Betty Watson