Gerald (Gerry or Jerry) William Lehto, aged 88, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2023 surrounded by loved ones, at Hearthstone Memory Care at Fairhaven Senior Services, Whitewater, WI. He was born on December 13, 1934, in Ironwood, Michigan, to Ebba and Archibald Lehto and later developed a close relationship with his step dad, Leo Sweeney. He graduated from Bayview High School, Milwaukee and completed a Junior Accounting Course at Spencerian College. He served in the Army from 1955-1957, marrying Alice M. Hoffman in October of 1955, in Milwaukee, while on leave. They raised a loving family in Racine, where he worked as an Accountant for Racine Steel Castings. Upon retiring in 1993, he was recognized for 31 years of dedicated service. He is survived by his loving children Karen (Steven Armstrong), Janet (Joseph Cunningham), Ronald Lehto, and Gail (Thomas Zugger); his grandchildren Diane (Kurt Rasmussen), Devon Armstrong, Lauren (Austin Cary), Michael Cunningham, Jordan and Jacob Lehto, Nathan Zugger; his great-grandchildren Isabelle and Oliver Rasmussen; and stepchildren and step-grand and great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Ebba Sweeney, his first wife Alice M. (Hoffman), his second wife Patricia (Shears), as well as in-laws, stepchildren, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and a nephew.
Family, friends, and others are invited to a Celebration of Life at the Olm Fellowship Hall at Fairhaven Senior Services, 435 W. Starin Rd., Whitewater, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. A gathering with family to start at 10 a.m. with an 11 a.m. celebration of life to share stories and to reminisce and honor the life of Jerry. The family wants to thank the wonderful care given by the staff at Hearthstone and Rainbow Hospice. In lieu of flowers one could make a donation to The Fairhaven Foundation, Rainbow Hospice Care, or the American Red Cross of Wisconsin.
To view Jerry’s full obituary with service information and to share on line condolences, please visit: https://nitardyfuneralhome.com/
