Delmar H. Lemons

Delmar Lemons, 88, of Missoula passed away Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at The Village Health & Rehabilitation. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 13, 2023 at the Seeley Lake Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at gardencityfh.com.

Delmar Houston Lemons, son of Houston and Genevieve (Miller) Lemons, was born July 25, 1935 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The family moved to the Missoula area where he attended school. He left Missoula County High School after two years and joined the United States Army, where he obtained his GED and was honorably discharged. Delmar moved to Potomac. One day he saw a young woman, Johanna, outside playing with some children at bible study group. He said, “There’s the girl I am going to marry!”

Delmar asked Johanna out on a date. They spent evenings on the front porch talking until all hours of the morning. Three months later they were married. Delmar married the love of his life, Johanna Molenda, on October 24, 1958 in Missoula. In 1960, they started their family; they had two daughters, Suzanne and Dawn, and son, Ross. Along with raising their family, which was so very important to them, they grew gardens, and raised chickens, pigs, steers, and had a milk cow. Firewood outings brought good food on the tailgate and wood for the cold winter months. Hay was harvested by family and friends and stick shift driving was learned out in the hay field. All of this instilled hard work ethics and strong family bonds and memories. Delmar spent most of his working career building and maintaining roads for the State of Montana and retired as a Superintendent.

Delmar was a member of Mountain Lakes Presbyterian Church in Seeley Lake. He was very active in the church serving as an elder, maintaining the grounds and helped build the addition to the church. He was a talented musician playing the guitar in the Lemon Tree-O, with his wife, Johanna and brother, Zane. Delmar was an also an avid outdoorsman throughout his life. He loved to hunt and fish. He was always willing to share his skills with anyone who asked. He had a gift with horses, raising and breaking them for countless ranchers. Delmar was also a talented metal and woodworker, always teaching his children and grandchildren life skills. Above all else, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great

grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, who will be greatly missed. He was loved by all who met him. He loved making countless memories with his family and friends. There is no other way to put it - Delmar left a beautiful legacy of love!

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of almost 65 years, Johanna Lemons; their children, Suzanne (James) Teafoe; Dawn (Troy) Rauch; Ross (Tanya) Lemons; six grandchildren, Ryan (Lindsay) Teafoe; Alyssa Teafoe; Joey (Catie) Moderie; Jennifer Moderie; Zane (Melina) Lemons; Cody (Hannah) Lemons; nine great grandchildren; his brother, Zane Lemons; his sister, Bonnie (Terry) Swanson; and nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Delmar was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Houston and Genevieve Lemons; and his younger brother, Roy Lemons.

Delmar had an easy way about him. He was our Tough Old Cowboy.

Giddy up, Dad! Ride ‘til you get to the Pearly Gates, pullback on those reigns and say “Whoa! I am home.”