Delores Jean (Golay) Lebahn

Delores Jean (Golay) Lebahn was born Jan. 3, 1941, at home near Oldham, S.D., to Albert and Margaret (Thill) Golay, and departed this life Jan. 14, 2026, at Hartville Care Center in Hartville, at 85 years of age. Delores attended a country school near their home through the fifth grade, and she finished her education and graduated from Oldham School in 1959. As a kid, she loved to climb trees, barns, and flagpoles. She was united in marriage to Kenneth Lebahn on Feb. 22, 1959, in Pipestone, Minn., and five children were born to this union. Delores and Kenneth milked cows and farmed together in Ramona, S.D., and then moved their family and farm near Oldham, S.D., in 1968. Escaping the cold weather, they moved to Mansfield in 1978. She spent the first year of her time in Missouri wearing only boots because she had a huge fear of snakes. Later in her career, Delores worked in home health care and also worked as a CNA at Autumn Oaks Caring Center in Mountain Grove and Rocky Ridge Manor in Mansfield. She finished her career at Rocky Ridge working in the kitchen. After retirement, Delores and Kenneth moved to senior living in Springfield, Missouri, and they attended Cherry Street Baptist Church. Along with helping with the dairy, Delores raised chickens both for their eggs and for eating, and she also cherished her role as a homemaker, wife, and mother. She was truly a “Martha,” always busy serving others. They welcomed several foster children into their home over the years. Delores was a great cook and the holiday meals that she prepared for her family were always a huge spread. While working in the kitchen, Delores always had the radio on an AM radio station. She loved listening to hymns, sermons, and commentators. She also enjoyed working in her garden and took pride in always having a bountiful garden.
Delores was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Margaret Golay; her husband, Kenneth Lebahn; one son-in-law, William Muser; one sister, Marilyn Sass; and one brother, William Golay. She is survived by two daughters, Juanita Muser, of DeSmet, S.D., and Sheila Clay and husband, Steve, of Plano, Texas; three sons, Tim Lebahn and wife, Pat, of Mansfield; Dean Lebahn and wife, Marian, of Bossier City, La.; and Wes Lebahn and wife, Amy, of Mansfield; 14 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Patty DeMent, Lavonne Halverson and Barbara May; two brothers, Paul Golay and Daniel Golay; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends who will miss her.  Visitation and funeral service were held Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mansfield, with Pastor Dennis Jennings officiating. Delores was buried at McIntosh Cemetery, Macomb. Memorial contributions may be made to McIntosh Cemetery. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.