Rhoda (Miller) Krady Lehman after living 86 years, 65 of those years as the wife of Martin Lehman, slipped away in the early hours of January 3, 2012. Two memorial services were held: one in College Mennonite Church, Goshen, Indiana where she had resided in her last years, and a second one held in the Baha Vista Mennonite Church, Sarasota Florida.
The first service was attended by most of her immediate and extended family and by the friends made through her four years living in Indiana. The recording was made by College Mennonite Church, and her oldest grandson, Dan Stoltzfus, used his software and skill to post it on this web site. He used You Tube and as much as possible eliminated advertizements, but it appears some ads have slipped in from Google. Ignore them or be informed by them according to your wishes.
This first segment features the processional, opening remarks by Pastor Phil Waite, and congregational singing led by Jenefer Yoder, from the Forks Mennonite Church. Rhoda was a member of Forks and attended College Mennonite Church.
The second segment features poems and the obituary read by grandsons Phillippe and Daniel Stoltzfus. The first poem was written by Martin about Rhoda when they were sophomores at Eastern Menonite (high) school. The second poem was written by Rhoda and was found among her precious papers. The obituary was read by Dan and the poems by Phil.
Martin and Rhoda have two children, Rachel and Conrad. Rachel speaks first:
Conrad Lehman, son
Rhoda’s son in law, Eldon Stoltzfus, read a tribute by Irene Bechler, a friend of Rhoda’s and makes comments of his own.
Rhoda’s youngest sister, Betty Krady Kelsey, also related her memories of Rhoda.
Two of Rhoda’s young and close friends from the Forks Mennonite Church dance to the song, “I can only imagine.”
Richard Martin, an elder in the Forks Mennonite Church, commented and read the first chapter of Ephesians
The congregation sings “Make me an Instrument of your Peace.”
Phil Waite, the lead pastor of the College Mennonite Church delivered a meditation from the book of Ephesians. An excerpt follows:
“Rain Down.” and recessional:
Thank you for your attention to the CMC memorial service. The BVM memorial service is in memory of Rhoda’s 53 years in Florida. It is recorded as a separate post and will be published later.
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