Wilma Lehman

Wilma "Maxine" Ahlman Parks Lehman aged 95 and 8 months died on April 20 at Innisfree Nursing Home in Rogers, Arkansas where she had been a resident for 3 ½ years. Prior to this, she had lived in Independence, Kansas for over 60 years.
Maxine is survived by her son Robert Parks (Charlotte) of Pea Ridge, AR, Linda Parks (Marti Babbitt) of Plano, TX, Sandy Williams (Terry) of Edna, KS, Sue Parks Brown (Tom) of Liberty, KS, step-children Jim Lehman (Debbie) of Klamath Falls, OR, Larry Lehman, of Klamath Falls, OR, Harry "Sandy" Beauford (Kathy) of Bellflower, CA, Valorie Grauer Flores (Glen), of Carson City, NV, grandchildren Jordan Parks, John Parks, Travis Williams, Sierra Williams, April Grunigen (Justin), Lisa Northern (Scott), Michael Santavicca, Dawnetta Beauford, Allen Lehman, Bill Lehman, Lewis, Brandon, Skylar, John, Joseph and Allison Lehman, Christi Wright (Doug), Larry and Daniel Baker and 11 great grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews and their descendants.
Maxine was born July 31, 1922 in Norfolk, Nebraska to William M. and Alta Evans Ahlman. Maxine was the youngest of 5 children.
Maxine was married to Neil Parks in 1942 until he passed. They met in Lincoln, NE at a dance and he literally swept her off her feet. She always loved to dance with him. She later married Marlin "Mickey" Lehman, who had been a teenage boyfriend, who was also widowed. Her marriage to Mickey included a large blended family that she enjoyed. Maxine was preceded in death by her parents, Neil, husband of over 45 years, Mickey, husband of nearly 20 years, her siblings, Leona Daland, Ruth Yunker, Harold Ahlman and Norma McCormick, great-grandson, Jared Parks, her step-daughter Gloria Santavicca, and nephews, David and Steve Yunker, and Bruce Daland.
Maxine graduated from Norfolk High School in 1940 and from the Lincoln, Nebraska Business College in 1941. Early in her career she had been secretary to the Administrative Assistant with the KS Labor Department. Her career included being a stenographer, executive secretary, income tax proofer, and bookkeeping, credit management and sales at her last job at the former Westco. The vocation she loved best was being a wife and Mom and spending time with family.
Maxine was a loving mother, aunt and grandmother and cared deeply for her family which was her primary focus. She also had an active life enjoying friends, camping (formerly a member of the Neewollah Campers), fishing, travel, learning and using the computer and numerous church activities, including Triad. She was an avid bridge player belonging to both mixed and women's groups over the years. She always looked for the best in people, the humor in things and looked for the bright side of situations, and she loved to laugh. She always showed appreciation for any kindness. She loved dogs and cats and has had many special ones in her life. She was very proud of her town, her church, the Neewollah activities, and the Riverside Park and Zoo. She was blessed to have been physically active into her early nineties.
Private burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.
There will be a memorial service at the First Methodist Church in Independence at 2:00 on May 5th located at 200 S Penn Ave. The public is invited.
Memorial donations may be made to the First Methodist Church or A.W.O.L. (Animals With Our Love) at 116 S 23rd, Independence, KS 67301. To leave a special message for the family please visit www.webbrodrickfuneralhome.com.

Service

Memorial Service

First Methodist Church
200 S. Penn
Independence, KS  67301
Saturday, May 5, 2018
2:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Mount Hope Cemetery
Independence, KS  67301

Memorial Contributions

First Methodist Church
200 S. Penn
Independence, KS  67301

AWOL
116 S. 23rd
Independence, KS  67301