Avis I. Lehman, 87, of Northwood passed away Sunday October 20, 2024 in Northwood.

Funeral Services will be 11am Friday, October 25, 2024 at First Lutheran Church, 309 9th St N, Northwood, IA 50459, with Rev. Becky Sogge officiating. Burial in Sunset Rest Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7p.m. Thursday, October 24, 2024 at Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 1st Ave. South, Northwood, IA. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Avis Ilene was born in Freeman Township, Freeborn County, MN to Oliver and Alice (Bakken) Loken on September 20, 1937. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1955 and started working as a legal assistant soon after. On May 23, 1964 she married Chuck Lehman at Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea and moved to Northwood. Together they were blessed with two daughters, Patty and Karen. Avis was a farm wife, and doting mother, helping in the fields and hauling grain.

Avis found joy in many aspects of life. She loved sewing, baking, reading, gardening, and playing her guitar while singing. Her family enjoyed many trips together, often filling their time with lively UNO games. A longtime member of First Lutheran Church in Northwood, Avis was deeply involved in her faith community. She volunteered as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher and brightened others’ days by recording numerous “Dial God’s Word Today” messages. She was active in Rebecca and Anna Circles, along with the First Lutheran Women’s group (FLW), holding various offices throughout the years. Avis also enjoyed her time working with the church quilting group for several years.

In September 1995, after moving into town, Avis began working as a dietary aide at the Lutheran Retirement Home, where she remained until her retirement in 2011. Her family, especially her beloved granddaughters, were a source of great happiness, and she cherished the countless hours spent with them during their teenage years.

Surviving are daughters, Patricia “Patty” (David) Irons, Northwood and Karen (Allen) Baldwin, Albert Lea; grandchildren, Lisa Irons, Eagle Grove, Mary Irons, Ames, Emma Baldwin, Albert Lea, Nate Baldwin and Stacy Baldwin, Northwood; great-granddaughters, Alivia, Alexia and Harley Baldwin; sisters-in-law, Marge (Curt) Volger, Rockport, MO, Esther Lehman, Webster City, and Lavonne Frandsen; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Preceding her in death are her husband; parents; mother and father-in-law, Esther and Harley Lehman Sr.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Eldora and Bob Tandberg, Priscilla and Jim Fodness; Opal and Bill Schallock, Betty and Elsworth Jahnke; sisters-in-law, Dorothy and Jack Frandsen and Edith and Ken Anderson; brothers-in-law, Harley Lehman Jr. and Udene Slinde Sr.; several nieces and nephews, LoAnne, Shari, Darryl, Tom, Udene Jr. and Gregory; and grandson Josh Baldwin. Conner Colonial Chapel 641-324-1543  ColonialChapels.com