Dale Lehman, 90 years old, passed away on September 19, 2026. He was born in Winterset, Iowa on March 10, 1936 to Nevona and Earl Lehman. He attended Lincoln High School in Des Moines, Iowa.

He loved his family very much and was always devoted to everyone. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Lehman. He is also survived by his pride and joys: son, Scott Lehman (Helen), grandchildren Anthony Lehman, Dale Lehman (Kelly), Judy Lehman Sandstrom (KC), and great-grandchildren Rhett and Elise. He also has wonderful neighbors that all care very much for each other and are there for one another.

He was reunited in heaven with his parents, Nevona and Earl Lehman, son Kim Lehman, grandparents, sister Donna, brother Junior and cousin Colleen. We’re comforted in the thought that he must have been overcome with joy to see all of them.

He was very proud of his military and law enforcement career. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1955. In 1957, he was given the option to either be trained to operate the newly emerging world of computers at Ft. Benjamin Harris in Indiana – or be assigned as a Military Police Officer with NATO in Paris, France. He thought about it for three weeks and chose NATO, where he served five years with the 520th Military Police Company. He always said that was the best decision he ever made. He was assigned to the 512th Military Police Company in Ft. Huachuca after leaving Europe and served there until his Honorable Discharge in 1965. He then began his civilian law enforcement career in 1966, when he was hired as a patrolman for the City of Douglas and worked his way up from Detective to Administration during his 15 years there. In 1981, he became Undersheriff to Sheriff Judd with the Cochise County Sheriff’s Department. He retired in 1992, after serving 27 years in civilian law enforcement. He expressed often that he appreciated everybody during his military service that helped him to achieve many goals and made him what he was. That he could not have achieved those goals or become the person that he was without leadership believing in him. He said all who served in the military or in law enforcement would always have a warm place in his heart- and up until the time of his death, they did.

“Poppi” will always be remembered and loved beyond words by all of his family. We have been so blessed to have him with us all for so many years. He enjoyed spending time with family, friends and neighbors, working hard, staying active, building furniture and other woodwork, gardening, history, music and helping anyone who needed him. He enjoyed a project, or helping others with theirs, regardless of what the project was.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, which was one of his chosen charities to donate to. As he would always say about the children in the commercials, “Now those are the ones I worry about. They haven’t even lived their life.”

Throughout his life, he expressed he had no interest in any “fuss” over him when he passed. Therefore, family will accompany him at a private graveside memorial. Thank you to everyone that has reached out with condolences and support.