Biography: Gertrude Philomena Cecilia Lehmann

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:
GERTUDE PHILOMENA CECILIA6 LEHMANN
Wife of Joseph Preston Beihl

  Daughter of: John Michael5 Lehmann   
  (Martin Michael4, Michel/Michael3, Michel2, Johannes/Jean/John/Johann1Lehmann)  
and
Mary Catherine6 MILLS
(Augustus5, Dennis C.4, William W.3, William2, William1 Mills)


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GERTRUDE "Gert" "Gertie" PHILOMENA LEHMANNCECILIA LEHMANN was the 10th child of John Michael Lehmann and Mary Catherine Mills. She was affectionately known as Gert to those who knew her. Gert was born 22 August 1910 at the family home in Piqua, Miami County, Ohio.

Courtesy of: Audrey (Lehmann-Shields) Hancock

Baby Gert

Baptismal records of St. Boniface Catholic Church indicate that Gertrude Philomenia was born 22 August 1910 and was "Baptized August 28 by Father George Steinlage." A notation in Latin reads, "Baptized conditionally because of a case of necessity in the one baptized." When asked, Gert herself did not know the condition under which she was baptized. Was she perhaps born prematurely or ill a birth? Did her parents baptize her first as would have been an acceptable practice in case of death?

According to Rita, "I find it difficult to separate specific things for Gert, for they sort of include me, although she was three years older and she remembers things that I don't. Most of our early lives were spent together. We didn't play too much with other children. Mom said we had each other. Mom would make us hollyhock dolls, which we'd put in the large boxes that stove matches came in at that time. We put a string in the front of the box to pull our hollyhock dolls around."

Courtesy of: Audrey (Lehmann-Shields) Hancock

Gert and little sister, Rita, together

"Gert got to play with Dorothy Sexton, who was the neighbors' (Mr. and Mrs. King) granddaughter, and possibly the daughter of Rose King and her husband. Pauline King, the oldest daughter, never married, and she kept Dorothy. Pauline took a secretarial course, had a good secretarial job for years at Hobart Co. in Troy, Miami County, Ohio. She had a car and bought nice clothes for herself and for Dorothy. The KINGs had bought our first house sometime after we moved to the big house. Every once in a while I got to play with Marjorie Culpepper, but the family was gone a lot. Gert also played with Leona Craig, but her family was also gone alot because Mr. Craig worked in Middletown. Sometimes I got to play with them, but they wished I'd get lost."  [Rita]

"We made our own paper dolls by cutting 'people' out of the catalogues and then trying to match up 'clothes' of the same shape for outfits. We blew soap bubbles by dipping or rubbing the one end of a straw into or onto soap and blowing on the other end to blow bubbles."   [Rita]

"A couple of special things I recall concerning Gert were these. When it would start to rain BIG drops, Gert would go outside with a broom and cry and try to sweep them away. I can remember that she had an eyelet embroidered dress that she wanted Mom [Mary Catherine (Mills) Lehmann] to sew up the 'holes' in it."  [Rita]

In the summer we'd get tomatoes, carrots, fruits (as available) and wash it/them and eat whenever we wanted. We helped plant beans and plant potatoes by cutting out an 'eye' or two out of each potato. As we grew older, we'd dig a hole, put in a tomato plant, fill the hole with water, and put and pat the dry dirt back into the hole. We'd knock potato bugs into a can that Dad [John] had put in some coal oil in for killing them. I remember one year Dad planted some peanuts. I didn't know they grew underground until then. Another year he planted some cotton seeds that were given to him by Mr. King. Mr. King lived next door in our first house, and he had come from Kentucky or Tennessee. That was the first time Gert and I had ever seen 'cotton balls'."  [Rita]

"I remember through the years that Gert was very hard to buy shoes for. Mom remarked that she just hated to buy her new shoes. They would try on one pair, then another. She'd say, 'These hurt my feet, or these are too short/long, don't like these, etc.' "   [Rita]

"Mom always dressed Gert in pink, so pink has always been her favorite color. When we would buy each other things, I bought her pink items and she would buy me blue items."  [Rita]

"I was extremely ticklish and whenever Gert wanted to take something from me or get me to do something her way, she'd tickle me. I just had no resistance, so I'd give into whatever it was. Funny, but now they call it abuse or cruelty."  [Rita]

"We didn't exchange clothes as there was too much of a difference in our age, but I suppose there were the 'hand me downs,' but I don't remember the specifics. Sometimes Mom would remake clothes to fit me."   [Rita]

"Gert has always been particular about her hair--and she still is, so she'd wear a sock cap at night in the summer and the winter. I particularly remember a green one."  [Rita]

Courtesy of: Mary Eileen (Quinlisk) Hanlon from her mother's [Heine (Lehmann) Quinlisk] photo album

"When Dad [John] died Gert was 17 years old and a sophomore. She didn't start school the same as others before her. She was seven years old. I was six when I started, but because of a year of illnesses, I finally didn't go back to school until I was seven years old. Gert didn't pass one year in school, so that was why she was seventeen and a sophomore. Gert was smart enough but didn't like school, so she didn't study nor do her homework."   [Rita]

"Within a few months of Dad's death, Gert got a job at the Orr Felt and Blanket Co. and quit school, but had to go to night school a couple of nights a week in order to get a working permit. And...Mom really could use the money, too. As I look back one thing which still doesn't seem fair is that Mom took all of Gert's pay each week. I guess she probably gave her some spending money for clothes, etc. I don't think Gert lacked anything she really needed, but Mom held the 'purse strings'. Perhaps it was better that way since Gert was only seventeen. I know later in the years Gert just paid room and board."  [Rita]

"Working gave Gert a little more freedom to date after night school. At night school she made a couple of friends with girls who got her dates. Mom was very strict about dating and many times I'd have to go along with Gert so she could go, and when we would get back I'd stay around so Gert wouldn't have to send the date home soon. I slept with Mom, so if I went to bed, before long Mom would call down to Gert to the effect that it was time to go to bed, so the date would have to leave."   [Rita]

"She met Urban Treon and Joseph "Joe" Beihl at the Orr Felt and Blanket Company. I don't remember who came first, but for several years it was 'on again, off again' between the two guys. Guess Gert was in love with Urban, and Joe was in love with Gert. Urban would go with Gert, then it was off for months, and Joe would take over. Urban would date Gert on Sunday afternoons from time to time, get a 'headache', bring Gert home, then would have another date in the evening with another girl. Next week, it would be the opposite, and Gert would get the evening date. We didn't trust or believe him, but Gert wanted to and did."  [Rita]

"Joe would come to the house and ring the bell, but Gert would put cotton between the bell and the ringer. Joe would go away and come back."  [Rita]

"Finally 'out of the blue' Gert married Urban. He got Gert's baptismal certificate at St. Boniface, couldn't find his at Versailles where they were married, so had his two sisters sign his baptismal validation papers, and possibly other papers, too. Urban got special permission not to publish the bans of matrimony in church, so that they could get married right away. None of the family went to the wedding." The marriage took place on 11 October 1933 at Versailles, Darke County, Ohio. Father Aloysius Monter of St. Boniface Church in Piqua noted near Gertrude's baptismal information the marriage to Urbon Treon, October 11, 1933 at St. Denis Church, Versailles, Darke County, Ohio by Father John Brinker."

"Gert said he went out on their wedding night presumably to see the 'the red head' she had heard about later. He didn't come home until late. She didn't know where he had been. After a few months, he told her that she would have to get out, and that someone was coming for the furniture. She had her own bedroom suite, so moved in with her sister and husband, Jean and Bob. He got a divorce from Gert, and soon after the divorce married the 'red head'. She felt devastated by his unfaithfulness."  [Rita] However, unlike Rita, she was unable to secure a Church annulment.


Courtesy of: Audrey (Lehmann-Shields) Hancock

Joseph Beihl & Gertrude Lehmann
Spring 1929

"Then Joe came back into the picture. Joe really never gave up. He really was in love with Gert. Funny how things turn out." [Rita]



From the album of Rita (Lehmann) Shields

Rita, Vera (#1 wf/o Martin), Daisy Meyer, Gert
Summer of 1933 or 1934


From the album of Rita (Lehmann) Shields

Eddie Meyer, Mart, Joe Beihl (future hus/o Gert), Vera (#1 wf/o Martin), Gert, & Rita
Summer of 1933 or 1934


From the album of Rita (Lehmann) Shields

Back: Daisy Meyer, Gert
Front: Rita, Mart, Joe Beihl (future hus/o Gert), Eddie Meyer
Summer of 1933 or 1934


Gert married on the 28th of August 1937 at Winchester, Delaware County or Richmond, Indiana to her beloved second husband, Joseph Preston Beihl. Joseph, son of William Preston Beihl and Catherine "Kitty" Duffy, was born 13 January 1909 in Piqua, Miami Co., OH. William, born in PA, was of the Protestant faith. Catherine was of the Roman Catholic faith and said to have been from Dunnigan, Ireland.

Aunt Gert and Uncle Joe lived in one house that I can't recall where it was. I think it was a rental. I remember going there when very small and staying with them. (They had "Pal," their small black dog, at that time--one of three dogs in their lives. Another was named "Boy," and the last one was "Smokey.") I believe the house was located near the Orr Felt and Blanket Company where Uncle Joe worked. The noon whistle would blow, and Joe would come home for lunch and then return to work. I can remember hearing Aunt Gert say, "Listen for the whistle. Uncle Joe will be here shortly."

In 1947, when our family was in Beaumont, Texas, Aunt Gert and Uncle Joe came to visit us [the SHIELDS family]. We had all gone to the beach just prior to them leaving the next day. And...we heard that Uncle Joe drove all the way back to Piqua with blisters the size of grapefruits on his back. He had gotten a terrible sunburn and suffered from the results.

Then they moved into the BEIHL home. I think this move was to care for Joe's father after his mother had died of diabetes. They lived there for sometime. Joe's father died in 1951. I don't know why they moved from there, perhaps someone else has the answer. After that I think they lived in another house rather briefly, and then they bought the house on Wood Street next to the railroad street, which was all on one floor by the railroad. Together they did extensive renovation. If I recall, it was at 410 Wood Street.

Rita recalled that "Gert was a good cook. When we would have a family picnic, we would always ask Gert to make the baked beans. Her baked beans were always so delicious. Somehow mine never tasted like her's...must have been in the seasonings she used." Margaret (Rankin) Rittenhouse recalled, "It was my understanding that Gert's baked beans recipe was the same one which Jean [her sister] used. I believe it was quite simple to do. I made it a number of times, and Bob [son of Jean] always said that was the way they tasted when the family got together. This is the one which I watched Jean make, and she said it was the same as Gert's." Luckily, Margaret was able to share the recipe.


GERT's & JEAN's FAMOUS BAKED BEANS

Several cans of baked beans (according to the number to be served).
Several slices of thick bacon, fried or broiled; then cut into small pieces
Molasses (Dark variety, enough to make the beans somewhat soupy)
French's mustard (Stir in enough to give taste desired.)
Bake at 325o F. for 1 1/2 hours.



Margaret (Rankin) Rittenhouse remembered, "Gert was famous for saying that she had 7 menus and she just repeated them verbatim each week - nothing new - just the tried and true. If anyone knows what that sequence of menus was, perhaps that would help some to recall a recipe." Jo Antionette (Wilkens-Sherman) Childers recalled, "I know Aunt Gert made chicken and noodles a lot, but I don't have the recipe for it! She also made Hungarian Goulash." This writer recalls that she always made a scrumptious pot roast with carrots and potatoes, which she'd start in early morning. She and Joe would eat their main meal at lunch time in those early years, as Joe would come home from work for his noon meal. The factory whistle blew at noontime and call them back in an hour. So...Gert being in hearing distance knew when her man would be arriving home for lunch. The men within walking distance would go home to eat.

Rita said, "Her favorite cookies were oatmeal. I think I have that recipe." (Yes, Mom, we found it! [Audrey])


OATMEAL COOKIES
Recipe found in the recipe box of her sister, Rita, and labeled: "Gert".

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup milk
2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup raisins
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
3/4 tsp. soda
Cream shortening and sugar, then add eggs.
Add flour mixed with spices and mix well.
Add oats and raisins.
If dough is not stiff (must hold its shape), add more oats rather than flour to keep rough instead of smooth consistency.
Drop by teaspoonful onto greased cookie sheet.
Bake 350o F. for 12-15 minutes


Jo Antionette (Wilkens-Sherman) Childers said, "We make her oatmeal cookies all the time. They are our favorite! We always call them 'Aunt Gert's Oatmeal Cookies.' I've put them into cookbooks for school and church, so now she's famous!" And...her sister, Rita, was famous for her Spicy Oatmeal Cookies, as Rita HATED raisins...see under Rita's story.




GERT's [& RITA's] HUNGARIAN GOULASH
Shared by Jo Antionette (Wilkens) Childers and Audrey (Shields) Hancock
Looks like sisters shared the same recipe, but did it their way!
Macaroni
Tomato Puree [sauce & stewed tomatoes]
Hamburger [Ground Beef--Can be fried and shredded ahead of time.] Ketchup [to taste] Onions [Diced] Celery [Diced] Mix all together and heat on stove in a large pan.
Great with bread and butter on a cold winter's day!


  
From the album of Rita (Lehmann) Shields

Right & Left Photos: Sisters, Gert (Mills-Lehmann) Beihl, Heine (Mills-Lehmann) Quinlisk, and Rita (Mills-Lehmann) Shields



Rita labeled this as Gert's recipe in Gert's handwriting.




From the album of Rita (Lehmann) Shields


   

Dale Shields & Rita (Lehmann) Shields and Joseph Beihl & Gertrude (Lehmann) Beihl
celebrate their 25th Wedding Anniversaries
1962
at home of Joe & Gert
410 Wood Street
Piqua, Miami County, Ohio

Joe and Gert were married August 28, 1937.
Dale and Rita were married September 4, 1937.

  

Family members surprised them with a 25th Anniversary party and gave them each a 25th Anniversary Plate and 25th Anniversary Candy Bowl. In later years, both Rita and Gert passed one of their pieces to each of Rita's daughters, Sandra and Audrey, on their 25th Wedding Anniversary, who were both married in 1960. Each received either the plate or bowl, so that they had the set.




From the album of Rita (Lehmann) Shields
Carol Sue Lehmann (dau/o Martin Lehmann & (2) Alida Covault, Gert, and Heine (Mills-Lehmann) Quinlisk
ca 1965


From the album of Rita (Lehmann) Shields

Joseph Saul (hus/o Wanda Jean Lehmann-Rittenhouse); Charles Hirsh (hus/o Dolores (Lehmann-Zimmer) Hirsch; Joe Beihl (hus/o Gertrude Lehmann)
ca 1965


The Gathering of LEHMANN SISTERS
Prior to 1966
From the album of Rita (Lehmann) Shields
Left to Right: Husbands: Roy Zimmer, Joe Beihl, Rex Denman, & Dale Shields
Left to Right: Sisters: Rita Shields, Jean Rittenhouse-Denman, Heine Quinlisk, Gert Beihl, & Jennie Zimmer


From the album of Rita (Lehmann) Shields
L to R: Roy Zimmer, Joe Beihl, & Rex Denman


  
Courtesy of: Jo Antionette (Wilkins-Sherman) Childers
Left photo: Husbands: Roy Zimmer, Joe Beihl, Rex Denman, & Dale Shields
Left photo: Sisters: Rita, Jean, Heine (center/front), Gert, Jennie
Right Photo: Sisters: Rita, Jean, Heine (center/front), Jennie, & Gert



Gertrude was an immaculate housekeeper. Everything was always spotless and in its place. Sinks were cleaned and wiped after each and every use. And, she was always persistent on personal and overall hygiene and cleanliness. When they lived on Wood Street, I got in trouble one time for washing my hands in the kitchen sink! Naughty Audy! She always called me "Audy."



SHIELDS and BEIHLs
Visit Jack & Heine (Lehmann) Quinlisk
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Prior to 1974

Sisters and Husbands
Dale a& Rita (Lehmann) Shields & Joe & Gert (Lehmann) Beihl


From the album of Rita (Lehmann) Shields
Sisters and Husbands
Gert & Joe and Rita & Dale


   


Saying "GOOD-BYE" to Heine and Jack was difficult.


From the album of Rita (Lehmann) Shields
Undated

Courtesy of: Jo Antionette (Wilkins-Sherman) Childers

Gert, Joe, and dog, Smokey
27 August 1978



Courtesy of: Jo Antionette (Wilkins-Sherman) Childers

Gert
July 1979


From there they had a home built in a subdivision in Piqua living at 1702 Williams Place until the day they died. The day Aunt Gert was buried a phone call was received inquiring about the house before it was put up for sale. Guess whoever inquired knew that they kept an immaculate house, and that it would be like buying a new house.

Courtesy of: Audrey (Lehmann-Shields) Hancock

Gert, Joe, and dog, Smokey
Possibly ca 1980

Letter to Audrey (Shields) Hancock on December 3, 1986 with an excerpt as to the deteriorating condition of Joseph Beihl from my mother, Rita (Lehmann) Shields.


"Today is Social Security day and Gert needs to go to the hospital and get Joe to sign it to take to the bank later to cash. She can hold his hand on the pen and help guide his writing - as long as his hand is on the pen. Or, he can mark "X" and have it witnessed by two people. Joe's getting very confused. You can't believe what he tells you most of the time. He's retaining water in bladder and tomorrow he goes for a cystoscopic. Possibility of prostate troubles blocking the urethra. Have to see what doctor finds out. How sad for both of them."

Joseph and Gertrude had no issue, as Gertrude had an early historectomy, so she was often pseudo-mom to so many of her nieces and nephews. They welcomed all with open arms and a heart filled with love for each and everyone. They were a special couple to so many of us. Joseph left this world on 3 February 1987 at 5:15 P.M. He died at Piqua Memorial Hospital, and he was laid to rest on 6 February 1987 at Forest Hill Cemetery in Piqua. Joe and Gert had spent their entire lives in Piqua where both had worked at the Orr Felt and Blanket Company. Joseph worked as a loom maintenance person.

1962, Visit to Anderson, Indiana
Rita, Dale holding David Jr; David Sr. (back), Gert, Joe, Heine, and Jack
Rita (Lehmann) Shields, Dale Shields holding David Hancock, Jr.; David Hancock Sr.;
Gertrude (Lehmann) Beihl, Joe Beihl;
Heine (Lehmann) Quinlisk and Jack Quinlisk

Margaret Ann Rittenhouse, wife of Robert J., said, "Gert was devastated to lose Joe and yet she knew he had not been doing well for such a long time. Some of the photos taken at her home after the funeral show such a totally drained face!" Yes, I [Audrey] recall, she told me that she was there beside him, and had told him "to go" that he had suffered enough.

Courtesy of: Audrey (Lehmann-Shields) Hancock

Joseph Beihl's Obituary


Courtesy of: Audrey (Lehmann-Shields) Hancock

Joseph Beihl's Memorial Card

In an e-mail of 5 July 2001, JoAntoinette "Jo" (Wilkens-Sherman) Childers noted, "Speaking about Aunt Gert - the thing I remember about her most is her laugh! She had the best laugh ever, and I can still remember it to this day. She and Uncle Joe were very special to us, and kind of adopted us as their grandkids! They were always there for us with hugs and much love." Their grandmother, Catherine Mary (Mills-Lehmann) Wilkins had died when her daughter (Mary Catherine (Lehmann-Wilkins) Sherman was a teenager. Jo said, "We always went to Aunt Gert's for her birthday and then would see your Mom and Dad [Dale & Rita (Lehmann) Shields], Jimmy [Wanda Jean (Lehmann-Rittenhouse) Saul] and Joe [Saul], etc. there, too. We always had such a good time - and spent most of it laughing!" I'll never forget taking Katie [Jo's daughter to the cemetery] soon after Aunt Gert died, and she decorated their headstone with dandelions 'to make it pretty'. I think they were both up there laughing at that sight!"

In an e-mail of 12 July 2001, Catherine "Cathy" Wilkins-Sherman recalls some fun times with Aunt Gert and Uncle Joe. When Gert and Joe lived on Wood St. in Piqua, "they lived right next to the train depot-a switch track. (Not a plus as far as the adults were concerned, but I thought it was great!) Aunt Gert & Uncle Joe got to know the guys who ran the trains. One fellow in particular they were friendly with, and one time when I was visiting I was standing along the bank of the track and they stopped the train. He jumped off and asked Aunt Gert if they could take me for a ride and she said, 'Sure.' So off I went for an afternoon of riding the train! When we got finished Aunt Gert was waiting for me along the bank. I was fortunate enough to do this a few times, as I made a point of standing along the bank every time the train went past!"

Cathy continued with her recollections, "During the summer I'd usually spend a week with Aunt Gert & Uncle Joe. During the day as we'd be fixing lunch or cleaning she'd always tell me stories of her family. She was very honest with me and always told the bad as well as the good."

"Mom (Mary Catherine (Wilkins) Sherman), Dad (Ivo Sherman), Jo & I were at Aunt Gert and Uncle Joe's to celebrate his birthday, probably early 1970's. Somehow, while Mom and Aunt Gert were in the kitchen, talk got around to guns and Uncle Joe brought his out to show Dad. He was going to pass it around so he removed the magazines and pointing the gun toward the floor pulled to trigger to show it wasn't loaded.....well it was and a shot went into the floor. The noise was so loud in the house and then everything went completely silent. Aunt Gert and Mom were afraid someone had been shot until we all started laughing! The bullet went into the carpet and disappeared. I crawled around on the floor off and on that night trying to find it - the carpet just swallowed it up and didn't leave any mark. When it was time to leave Uncle Joe said "don't go, you can stay longer, no need to rush off". He knew he was going to "get it" from Aunt Gert! Soon after they got new carpet and when the old carpet was pulled up the bullet was there, so Uncle Joe saved it and gave it to me. I still have it and smile every time I see it. This is just one of the many, many good memories from being with Aunt Gert and Uncle Joe."

[Story & Photo via e-mail to ASH on 8 Sep 2013 from Cathy Sherman.]


Margaret Ann Rittenhouse told me in an e-mail..."you can't omit the fact that no one could tell a story better than Aunt Gert and sometimes those stories were really 'blue.' She would laugh and laugh as she watched someone react to the punch line. She had a collection of 'off shade' stories which were priceless." [Margaret, 16 June 2001] What Margaret didn't know is that my mother (Rita) and Aunt Gert would trade those risque and colorful jokes back and forth even in their 70s and 80s. They both could give the punch line equally well. They were like "two peas in a pod." I [Audrey] would stand in awe and say, "MOTHER!" and "AUNT GERT!" Shame on you two! Two little old ladies aren't supposed to be telling jokes like that." Then they would laugh at me and we'd joke about. I could never tell a story as they told them...always forgot the punch line, so I never tried! If I wrote down the punch line, then I'd forget the rest of the story.

Gertrude was always faithful to her prayers, and could be seen saying her rosary daily. She was not permitted to receive the Catholic sacraments until much later in life due to divorce and remarriage, but she remained faithful to her God in her way.

Courtesy of: Audrey (Lehmann-Shields) Hancock

A BEIHL MERRY CHRISTMAS FOREVER

In the weeks prior to her death, Charles & Dolores (Lehmann-Zimmer) Hirsh took Gert to the hospital frequently. She was in and out numerous times in those weeks before the end. She had been plagued with congestive heart failure many years, and frequently complained about her "ticker" as she called it. The last time Doe and Charlie brought her home was Easter Sunday. Gert was elated to be going home, and this is where she would have wanted to be when death came. While Doe was out of the room, Gert said to Charlie, "I'll never have to go there again." Charlie wrote, "I believe she knew that the end near. I had no idea how close it was." The next day (Monday) she was called to join those who had gone before her. She was found lying on the hall floor of her home by Mary Catherine (Beihl-Shields) Brown-Grimes, daughter of LeRoy C. & Ida (Duffy-Beihl) Shields. Mary Catherine is a niece of Joe Beihl, and my first cousin on my Shields side of the family. Gertrude died Monday, 17 Apr 1995 at 1702 Williams Place, Piqua, and she was buried Thursday, 20 Apr 1995 at Forest Hill Cemetery, Piqua, Miami County, Ohio. Fond memories of a special aunt will always be with many of us.



Courtesy of: Jo Antionette (Wilkins-Sherman)Childers

Services were held at Jamieson & Yannucci Funeral Home at 2:00 P.M. with Fr. Angelo Caserto of St. Boniface Catholic Church giving the eulogy. Gertrude hated her baptismal name of Philomenia, so was laid to rest under her given name and confirmation name of Gertrude Cecilia. She once said, "Of all the beautiful names in the family, why did they choose Philomenia?"

Margaret Rittenhouse recalled that she was told that "Father Casserta, who went to school with Gert, kept referring to her in his sermon by the name he knew her by in school...Gertie. They all expected Gert to sit up in her coffin and lecture the good Father." Bob and Margaret were unable to attend due to Bob's poor health. The Casserta family attended the same church/school and once owned the local saloon, which was more like a family pub. The LEHMANN family frequented the establishment time to time and each knew the other very well.

Cathy commented. "Her house always had the same smell about it, do you remember? It was powder she used, I think, not sure. After she died, Jo & I took care of selling her house and taking care of her things. That smell remained. The night before we signed the papers I drove from Vandalia to Piqua for one last visit to the house. The smell was still there, and I cry as I write this. It was Aunt Gert still there, and I feel her around me often. She and Uncle Joe were the best." Yes, Cathy, I remember, it was Aunt Gert's powder.

Medical problems for Gert consisted of bowel disorders, heart disorders (possibly mitral valve prolapse), osteoarthritis, and congestive heart failure. Her poor fingers were misshapen in later life. Does anyone recall any other difficulties?

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See: LEHMANN FAMILY HOMEPAGE



  Created: 11 July 2001  
Revised: 08 September 2013
20 July 2017

Story/Photo Contributors:

  • Gertrude Philomenia Cecilia (Mills-Lehmann) Beihl (deceased), 1982        
  • Jo Antionette (Wilkins-Sherman) Childers
  • Cathy Sherman
  • Audrey Ann (Lehmann-Shields) Hancock
  • Margaret Ann (Hallatt-Rankin) Rittenhouse,
    wife of Robert J. Rittenhouse,
    dau-in-law/o Jean (Mills-Lehmann) Rittenhouse
  • Rita Marie Margaret (Mills-Lehmann) Shields (deceased)
  • Catherine Mary Wilkins-Sherman
  • Charles and Dolores (Lehmann-Zimmer) Hirsch








WebPage by:
Audrey (Lehmann-Shields) Hancock


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