Paul M. Lehmann, age 94, went to his lord and savior on July 12, 2024. Paul was born on December 15, 1929, in Helena, at the original St. John’s Hospital. He was the only child of Max and Helen (Martinz) Lehmann.
Paul attended St. Helena Grade School, then Helena High, where he was in the Spanish Club, Debate Club, and business manager of the Nugget, the school newspaper. He then attended Carroll College, graduating in 1952 with a degree in accounting.
In 1956 he married his pen pal from Germany, Renate Hofmann. They shared a full life together for 67 years and had four wonderful children: Ann, Deborah, Robert, and Ronald.
Paul’s first job was with the Montana Department of Revenue as a corporate tax auditor. While working at the state, Paul designed an apportionment form for out-of-state companies doing business in Montana. He also designed a simpler version of the individual state tax return. For a short time, he worked for the Internal Revenue Service, then at Carroll College as the business manager. In 1958, he started his own accounting and tax practice. He ran Lehmann Accounting and Tax for 50 years, becoming Helena’s best-loved accountant, until retiring in 2008. During this time, he also taught bookkeeping for three years as part of Fred Robinson’s Adult Education program.
Paul and his family enjoyed the outdoors. Every spring, plans were made for the summer: backpacking trips, camping trips with the Coleman camper at hiking trailheads or a lake for the weekend, or sailing at Canyon Ferry. Many memories were made backpacking in the Gates of the Mountains, the Pioneers, the Crazies—just to mention a few. But Paul’s favorite spot was Glacier National Park, especially hiking trips to Sperry and Granite Park Chalets. When the chalets were closed in 1992 for environmental issues, he became part of the Save the Chalets effort.
When Paul was 60, he discovered bicycling. He bought a mountain bike and enjoyed cycling the backroads in the Helena area, both on his own and with the Helena Bicycle Club. His other hobbies included model railroading, stamp collecting, photography, and square dancing. Paul and Renate loved square dancing and made numerous trips to events around the state.
Paul was proud of his German heritage. In 1980 he took his wife and their two boys to Austria on a hut-hopping trip through the Austrian Alps. In later years, he and his wife visited her relatives and his father’s birthplace in Germany, and then Austria again to visit relatives at his mother’s birthplace. Whenever there was an Oktoberfest nearby, you could find Paul there, enjoying the old German songs—and maybe even dancing.
He was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, ushering for many years. He was also a member of Knights of Columbus, National Society of Accountants, and Montana Society of Public Accountants, where he served two terms as president and thirteen years as executive secretary. He also served many years as treasurer of the Helena Bicycle Club.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, an infant brother, and his wife of 67 years. He is survived by daughters Ann Seifert and Deborah Torres; sons Robert (Carmen) Lehmann and Dr. Ronald (Brynlyn) Lehmann; seven grandchildren: Hannah Seifert McCalla, Aja Torres, Max Torres, Greg Lehmann, Jennifer Lehmann, Michael Lehmann, and Micah Lewis; and one great-grandchild on the way.
A Catholic Vigil will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at Saint Mary’s Catholic Community Church. A Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 19, 2024 at Saint Mary’s Catholic Community Church followed by a reception at the church. Paul will be buried in Resurrection Cemetery next to his beloved wife.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be made to a charity of choice.
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Thursday July 18, 2024
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Friday July 19, 2024
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Friday July 19, 2024
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
After the reception
Friday July 19, 2024
Resurrection Cemetery
3685 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Thursday July 18, 2024
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Friday July 19, 2024
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Friday July 19, 2024
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
After the reception
Friday July 19, 2024
Resurrection Cemetery
3685 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Owen Douglas Humphrey says
Paul and I were in an investment club together. He was a good friend and brilliant man. I am saddened to read of his death. Rest-In-Peace Paul.
Connie Erickson says
Paul was my parents’ accountant for many, many years. He was kind and generous and just an all-around good person. He was a faithful member of St. Mary’s, attending the 10:30 Sunday liturgy until just recently. God bless you, Paul.
Cathy Champion-Predmore says
Annie, Debbie, Bobby & Ronnie: I am very sorry to read about your dad’s passing but also know he was missing your mother. Let’s hope they are in each other’s arms again. Love to you, Cathy Champion-Predmore
diane T. willliams says
We have known Paul since High School, he was just a very nice guy, and we were happy to know him.
He was also a good tax guy, and appreciated!
He and Renate made a great couple, much admired in Helena circles.
St. Mary’s will have lost a great member, always dependable.
We send prayers for healing to the family.
Lisa (Herrera) Blanford says
Paul had such a great sense of humor. His eyes would twinkle with delight when he was teasing you or playing a prank. He and Renate were great friends of my parents, Gus & Inge. I have many good memories of him. I remember how much he loved Oktoberfest and he would be all decked out in a German costume including lederhosen. RIP Pauly. You are certainly with the angels now.