Heaven gained a beautiful angel as our Mom has transitioned to her eternal life - happy to be reunited with Dad, the love of her life. She fought her battle like she lived her life, with courage, bravery and grace. Mercedes Lehto (nee Shepeard) died peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on May 28, 2021 at the age of 83. Beloved wife and best friend of the late Jerome. Loving mother of Terry (Terese) Lehto; Patricia (Keith Bohne) Porter; Kathleen (Thomas) Cyganiak and Michael (Judy Fornell) Lehto. Special grandma of Terry (Theresa) Lehto, Nick Lehto, Ashlee (Jaime) Rosado, Chris Bohne, Keith (Bobbie) Bohne, Kyle Porter, Kaitlyn Menden, Kelsey (Bobby) Keith, Brytni Cyganiak, Sarah Cyganiak, Sydney Lehto and Robby Lehto. Great-grandma of Terry and Taylor Lehto, Jesse, NJ and Kingston Lehto, Dillon and Joshua Rosado, Christopher, Kaleb and Cade Bohne, Taylor Bohne, Althea Porter, Willie and Danny Keith. Great-great-grandma to Myah Bohne. Mercedes came from a large family of 8 children. She is survived by her sisters Elizabeth (David) LaPine and Susan (Steve) Gilbertson, her brothers Francis (Susan) Shepeard and Spalding (Tammy) Shepeard and many, many loving nieces and nephews. Mercedes loved the life she and Jerry enjoyed after retiring to Florida and she will be dearly missed by her friends at Lake Region Village. She enjoyed sitting on her screen porch greeting and waving to neighbors who passed by and often came in to visit. You could always find her knitting or baking peanut butter cookies for the "elderly". The beautiful send-off they gave her in March was so touching. How lucky for us all to have known her and loved her. She had a soft heart and a strong will. Her bright smile, kind soul, beautiful knitting, peanut butter cookies and pasties will be missed dearly by all ... but her memory will live on forever in our hearts. Honoring her request, no service will be held. Mom & Dad's ashes will be scattered together, and we will celebrate their lives and love. We love you mom. ❤️