Nancy Kay Lehman, passed away on Thursday night, December 12, 2024. She was 84.
Nancy was born on February 16, 1940, in Northfield, to parents Russell and Dorothy (DeMann) Enfield. She graduated from Northfield High School and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Metropolitan State University. Nancy spent her entire career at Carleton College, in the early years as a secretary for Paul Wellstone. She worked for many other professors, eventually becoming Director of Special Events. As director, Nancy coordinated many receptions and other college events with great detail and thoughtfulness. Her former colleague, Kerry Raadt, described her as “unflappable when faced with the unexpected.” Nancy retired in 2005 after working at Carleton for nearly 42 years.
Nancy met Robert Gustafson after high school, and they married in 1959. Bob and Nancy made their home in the Northfield area and had two children. They later divorced and Nancy married Don Lehman in 1991. Don and Nancy enjoyed life in Northfield and were members of First United Church of Christ. Nancy loved the social gatherings surrounding their church life and frequently volunteered her time.
Beyond her enjoyment working at Carleton, Nancy had many interests including tennis, gardening, classical music, reading, woodworking, drawing, and international travel. Her amiable nature was infectious and affected everyone around her. She was kind and generous, and always ready to come along for any adventure. Nancy was also a lifelong lover of cats and dogs. She was a wonderful, patient mother, grandmother, sister, and friend and will be terribly missed.
She is survived by her children, Jim of Northfield and Wendy (Donald) Deutsch of Las Vegas, NV; stepson, Forrest (Jenny) Lehman of St. Paul; grandchildren, Jessica Eckdahl, Adam Eckdahl, Jacob Lehman, Riley Lehman and Quentin Lehman; and siblings, Barb (Tom) Dvorak of Northfield and Jane Enfield of Minneapolis. She is preceded in death by her husband, Don (2018).
Memorials may be made to First United Church of Christ in Northfield.
A celebration of life will be held from 1-3 PM, Monday, December 23, 2024, at Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home. A scattering ceremony will follow at the First United Church of Christ Scattering Garden.
Funeral arrangements are trusted to Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home & Crematory. www.northfieldfuneral.com
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