Gladys Lehman, 92, of St. Martins passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at Capital Region Medical Center.

She was born November 3, 1932 in Jefferson City to the late Joseph and Cecelia (Kolb) Buschjost.  Gladys was raised on the Buschjost family dairy farm in Wardsville, MO and the values she learned from that served her well throughout her life.  She attended St. Stanislaus Catholic Elementary School and was in the last graduating class of St. Peter High School.

On May 21, 1955, Gladys married Bernard Lehman at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.  Living in St. Martins, she stayed home helping to raise their six children.  When the kids got older, Gladys started her career at Chesebrough-Ponds, first working the night shift and then eventually the day shift.  Gladys retired after 25 years of service.

She had a strong Catholic faith.  Gladys was a devout member of St. Martin Catholic Church attending mass regularly even watching it livestreamed when she couldn’t be there.  The last church mass Gladys attended was this past Christmas Eve.  Her last day on Earth, Gladys waited until Father Doke gave her Last Rites passing away peacefully with family by her side.

Whether it was cooking dinner after a hard day at work, baking goodies or serving fresh vegetables from her garden, Gladys took great pride in providing for her family.  She treasured those special times of family get-togethers, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  In her free time, Gladys loved winning at Bingo, visiting different casinos, going on trips with her friends, solving crossword puzzles and reading the newspaper.  She enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs and Missouri football and basketball.  Gladys was a very kind soul with a great smile.  She always thought of everyone first and never got angry.  However, if she became frustrated, the word “goshdasket” would clearly be heard by all.

Survivors include her four children;  Ron (Lisa) Lehman, Sharon (Matthew) Tucker, Jerry (Amy) Lehman, Larry (Jana) Lehman, all of Jefferson City; twelve grandchildren, Lindsey (Phil) Pitts, Leslie (Mike) Henderson, Nicholas (Annemarie) Brondel, Emily Long, Julia Lehman, Courtney (Ryan) Borman, Chelsey (Dustin) Pohl, Christy (Dane) Hughes, John (Tiffany) Lehman, Carrie (Alex) Frank, Cole Lehman, McKenna Lehman; two step-grandchildren, Ivana Bommel, Sara Turner; nineteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Margie Struemph of Wardsville and son-in-law, Wayne Brondel of Jefferson City.  Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard; two daughters, Wanda Lehman and LaVerne Brondel; three brothers and their wives, Victor and Marie Buschjost, Leroy and Betty Jean Buschjost, Leonard and Julie Buschjost and brother-in-law, August Struemph.

Visitation will be Monday, February 24, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Trimble Funeral Homes-Jefferson City with a prayer service beginning at 3:30 p.m.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at St. Martin Catholic Church, St. Martins.  Reverend Jason Doke will officiate.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  The Mass will be livestreamed through the church’s Facebook page.

Memorials may be directed to St. Martin Catholic Church or School.