Lenna Irene Sheets Ransburg, 90

Lenna Irene Sheets Ransburg, age 90, passed away on March 10, 2021 in Carmel, Indiana.  Lenna was born on her family farm outside of Delaware, IN on September 2, 1930, daughter of the late Raymond and Ada Smith.She grew up on her family farm until the age of 9, when her family moved north of Osgood.  She was a graduate of Osgood High School Class of 1948.  Upon her high school graduation, she attended Franklin College where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1952.  She then went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Education from Butler University in 1954. On September 3, 1950, while still pursuing her education, she married Gayle Sheets.  Upon completion of their degrees, they travelled through Noblesville where they both found teaching jobs.  They taught within the Noblesville School District and the Kokomo School District as beloved Elementary School Teachers.In 1956, they purchased her family farm outside of Delaware and returned home to raise their family which later grew to include three children: Kirby, Holly, and Kebe Sheets.  In their stewardship, they decided to implement erosion control measures on the farm, which included planting pine trees.  From this planting practice stemmed Sheets Christmas Tree Farm opening for retail as a choose and cut farm in the early 1960’s.  In 1968 they received a once in a lifetime honor and provided the White House Christmas Tree that adorned the Blue Room.Life would forever change in August of 1972 with Gayle’s death.  Lenna’s determination and perseverance came shining through as a widow with 3 young children and a farm to work and manage.  She knew that “Tough times never last, but tough people do.”  She later married Edwin Ransburg in 1976 and moved her family to Carmel, IN.  Upon Ed’s death in 1984, she managed the tree operations along with numerous rental properties.  All operations continue to prosper today under both her sons’ leadership.Lenna received numerous stewardship awards over the years which included the Charles Deam Forestry Stewardship Award along with the Indiana Tree Farmer of the Year Award.  Being the pioneer that she was, she was also appointed the first female President of the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association.  Additionally, she was a member of the Eastern Star, a Girl Scout, as well as a Girl Scout Leader.  She had an avid love of exploration and was a world traveler visiting every continent with the exception of Antarctica.She will be greatly missed by her surviving children and their spouses: Kirby (Becky) Sheets of Carmel, IN, Kebe (Diana) Sheets of Osgood, IN, and son-in-law Greg Siewiorek of St. Augustine, FL.  She is now reunited with her daughter Dr. Holly Sheets who entered eternal rest on February 18, 2021.  Additionally, she will be missed by her four grandchildren which include: Matthew Frische and Kaitlyn Sheets (children of Kirby & Becky Sheets), and Samantha and Jacob Sheets (children of Kebe & Diana Sheets).Visitation will be held on Monday March 15, 2021 from 10 am – 12 pm at Neal’s Funeral Home in Osgood.  Funeral services will be held on Monday at 12 pm at Neal’s, with burial following at Mud Pike Cemetery.  Memorials may be given to the Mud Pike Cemetery Fund in care of the funeral home.  Online condolences can be placed at Nealsfuneralhome.net