Russell Lehnhardt

Russell E. Lehnhardt, 89, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Saturday, November 1, 2014, at the Allen House in Atlantic.

Russ was born at Avoca, Iowa, on March 10, 1925, to Elmer and Meta (Dorscher) Lehnhardt. They moved to Walnut in 1929 and he graduated from Walnut High School in 1942.

He served in the Army from September 1943 to February 1946, working in admission offices of several hospitals in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands. After his Army service, Russ joined his parents business, "The Gardens" restaurant in Walnut, Iowa.

Russ and Lucille Petersen of Atlantic were married May 9, 1949, and she joined in the operation of the business.

They had three children: their son, James and his wife, Patricia of Galena, Illinois, and their son, Aaron and his wife, Priscilla, and their children, Nyaa and Trayce of Mission Viejo, California; their daughter, Susan and her husband, Steven Apfelbaum of Juda, Wisconsin, and Susan's son, Noah Klinge and his special love, Denise of Phoenix, Arizona; their daughter, Jean of Des Moines and her daughter, Jolene and husband, Justin Van Wyk, also of Des Moines, and their children, Quinton and Nola and her daughter, Laura and husband Jeff Boyd and their daughters, Cedar and Rowan, of Highland Park, New Jersey. Also surviving Russ are his wife, Bea Lehnhardt of Atlantic, IA and her daughters, Pam (Don) Prall of Atlantic, Debbie Vollmer of Omaha, NE and Kathy Galles of Atlantic.

Lucy passed away August 4, 1988. Russ married Beatrice Hjortshoj on October 25, 2005. They lived in Bea's home in Atlantic, a pleasant home in a nice town.

Russ loved to work in the yard and do crossword puzzles. He was a Civil War history buff and gave talks about Abe Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant in many different places. He was also a harmonica player and a vocalist for an old time music band named the "Four County Players" that played at nursing homes and senior centers.

Russ' cremated remains will be buried in a graveside service in the Layton Township (Walnut) Cemetery, Walnut, Iowa, at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 5, 2014. Russ requested there will be no formal service other than a gathering for refreshments and memories for family and friends, which will be held in the First Presbyterian Church in Walnut following the graveside service.

No memorials are requested.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.