Teresa “Teri” Lehne, age 88 of Fargo, ND formerly of Mahnomen, MN, died on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Sanford Hospice House, in Fargo.
Teresa Jean London, the fifth of Robert and Dorothy (Lind) London’s twelve children, was born on September 5, 1935, at home near Bejou, MN. Teri grew up in Bejou, where she attended elementary school with her lifelong best friends, Lois (Preisler) Kuhn and Cecelia (Folstrom) Winkler. After graduating from Mahnomen High School, Teri attended Bemidji State Teachers College. In 1957 she began her career at the Mahnomen Public School as a 4th grade teacher. Teri soon met Roger Lehne, the love of her life; they were united in marriage on May 31, 1958, and spent the next 61 years together. Although they never had children of their own, Teri was known to say, “I have lots of children, I just send them home at 3:00”. Mrs. Lehne lovingly touched the lives of hundreds of kids throughout her years in the classroom. She retired in 1989 after 34 years of teaching in Mahnomen. Teri had a generous spirit and an elegant manner about her. She loved to entertain and host gatherings for family and friends. Teri set an immaculate table with eclectic china pieces and made everyone feel special. She was an excellent seamstress, spending hours on needlework, crochet, and delicate handwork pieces. Teri also had an adventurous spirit and traveled often. Teri and Roger took several trips to Alaska, snowmobiling in Yellowstone, and visited Norway. They spent several winters together in Casa Grande, AZ, enjoying the warmer climate. Teri enjoyed being of service to others, working alongside her friends with local community organizations. She was an active member of the Garden Club, Red Hat Society, and was a charter member of Catholic Daughters of America St. Justin Court #2020. The Catholic faith was a true cornerstone in Teri’s life, and she was proud to be a part of the St. Michael’s Catholic Church family. Later in their retirement years, Teri and Roger moved to Riverview Place in Fargo. Following Roger’s death in 2020, Teri returned to Mahnomen to make her home in the assisted living apartments. Teri recently returned to Riverview Place, and shortly thereafter, spent her final days surrounded by family at the Sanford Hospice House.
Teresa is survived by three brothers: James E. (Sally) London, Joseph London, and Stephen (Barbara) London; five sisters: MaryAnn Geldaker, Ellen Eastlund, Cathe (Rueben) Hillstad, Susan Rudquist, and Dorothy “Dotty” (Allan) Neisen; a brother-in-law, Dieter vonHaefen; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roger; siblings: Robert C. (Helen) London, Margaret vonHaefen, and Linda (James Sr.) Varty; sisters-in-law, Margaret (Wally) Bergeson, Barb (Clayton) Restad, and Joyce London; brothers-in-law, William Geldaker and Lloyd Eastlund, nephew William Geldaker Jr. and niece Julie London.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Mahnomen, MN. A Time of Gathering will take place at Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen on Friday, May 31, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, with a Rosary and Prayer Service beginning at 6:00 pm. Inurnment will take place at the St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Anderson Family Funeral Home of Mahnomen, MN.