Harley Wayne LEHMKUHL

Harley Wayne Lehmkuhl passed away peacefully, with loved ones by his side, on February 17, 2024, at age 75, at the Elrose Health Center.  Harley was born on May 27, 1948, in Elrose SK to Gordon and Anne Lehmkuhl, the second of two children.  

Harley attended school in Elrose and enjoyed participating in various school sports teams and excelled at hockey. After high school, Harley attended and completed Vocational Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan. After completing his undergraduate degree, Harley returned to Elrose to follow his passion and work on the family farm with his father.

In 1969, Harley married Wendy Maguire and they resided in Elrose and then the family farm.  They had two children, daughter Leanne in 1973 and son Jamie in 1975.  Harley enjoyed many activities with his family and friends such as cooking, curling, skiing, snowmobiling, boating and fishing and camping trips. Harley was an active member of the Elrose community.  He coached hockey for many years and frequently volunteered in the kitchen and ice duty at the Elrose Uniplex as well as being an active member of the Elrose Lion’s Club and a longtime board member of the Elrose Memorial Hall.

Harley was a hardworking and dedicated farmer. His yard, machinery and vehicles were always kept in pristine condition. He was often the first farmer in the area to finish seeding and the first to be done harvest.  Harley also continued to run the seed cleaning business that his father began.

Harley met Darline Wilinski in the late 1980’s and the couple later married in 1993. Harley was always inclusive in nature and quickly integrated Darline’s children into his life.  He was like a father to Darline’s three children, Cindy born 1972, Amy born 1975 and Jim born 1977.  Harley and Darline enjoyed playing cards, golfing, and trips to Saskatoon where they would spend the evening dancing.  They also enjoyed travelling and made several trips to Vancouver Island, Las Vegas and spent manywinters in enjoying the sunshine and beeches in Maui.  

Harley was a jovial, friendly and empathetic man and will be remembered fondly.

Harley is survived by his wife, Darline Lehmkuhl; daughter Leanne (Jeff) Dafoe and grandchild Kaitlyn, son Jamie (Rheanne) Lehmkuhl and grandchildren Julian and Aurora; step-daughter Cindy Wilinski and grandchildren Emily, Billy and Jesse Kreuger; step-daughter Amy (Stuart) Jans, grandchildren Kasey and Haley and great grandchildren Austin and Jayla (Kasey Jans) and Lexi and Saylor (Haley Jans) ; son Jim (Melissa) Wilinski and grandchildren Keegan, Daxen and Avery; sister Diane Minogue and her children Vaughn and Kelley; mother and father in-law Audrey and Leo Horne.   

Memorial donations in Harley’s memory may be directed to Elrose Volunteer Fire Brigade. Harley’s family will be organizing a private memorial in the near future to commemorate his life.

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep. 

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain. 

When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night. 

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die.