Andrew Daniel Lehman 1975-2012

LEHMAN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/23/2012 at 10:24:21

Sioux City Journal
August 14, 2012

Andrew Daniel Lehman, 37, of Sioux City passed away Aug. 9, 2012, at his home in Sioux City.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson, Iowa. Memorials will be given to the Alcoholics Anonymous Clubhouse in Sioux City, which had become such an important part of Andy’s life in the past few years.

Andy was born Jan. 14, 1975.

He was a kind and gentle man who felt great compassion and empathy for those who were struggling in their lives. Andy was living in Sioux City, studying to become an alcohol addiction counselor so he could help others suffering from the same, insidious disease that so devastated and complicated his own life. No one tried harder to overcome alcoholism than Andy.

He was passionate in his efforts to help others suffering from the effects of this self-destructive disease, but in the end was not able to help himself. We know he impacted the lives of many grateful people suffering the tragic effects of alcoholism and we are so very proud of him for that. He wanted everyone to know that alcoholism is a disease; no one chooses to be an alcoholic. We take great comfort knowing he no longer has to battle that heartbreaking disease.

Andy’s extraordinary wit and wry sense of humor were cherished by all those who knew him. He found humor in everyday, mundane things and never failed to come up with some off-the-wall remark that would crack everyone up.

Andy’s death leaves a huge void in the lives of his mother, Muriel Lehman of Panora; his sister Heidi Thompson and her husband Sean of Ogden, Iowa; his brother Luke and his friend Emily DeBolt of Fort Collins, Colo.; two nephews, Trey and Jade Thompson; his grandparents Pat Monthei, Dwight and Bev Lehman, all of Jefferson, Iowa; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and a wealth of friends who all loved him dearly.

We find great consolation knowing he’s now with his dad, Dan Lehman, and his grandpa, Wayne Monthei, sitting around the table laughing at each other’s stories once again.

We want to thank his very dear AA family who loved him and helped him in so many ways. He loved you all and would have done anything for you, just as you would for him.

You never realized how important you were to us or how much we will miss your sensitive, humorous spirit, Andy. May you finally rest in a peace that so often eluded you here.