A Life and Legacy of Love

Apr 21, 2026

Stacey Gibbs Lehr had a gift for noticing life’s meaningful moments and celebrating them well. She carried that spirit into everything she did — creative, caring and attentive to others. 

Those attributes are what drew Kent Lehr to Stacey and, when the timing was right, they built a life together. Their world grew through friendship, shared dreams and travel. Their joy deepened with the arrival of their three children, Jude, Louis and Olivia. 

When Stacey was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, following the birth of their firstborn, Jude, her priority was continuing to grow their family. True to her nature, she faced the journey with grit and grace. 

“Stacey was meant to be a mother,” Kent shares. “She cared for everyone around her and had a way of making each person feel important and cared for. But there was no more profound love than the love she had for her children and our family.” 

Her tenacity brought more joy to their family. Louis was conceived just one day after Stacey completed treatment, and daughter Olivia arrived soon after. But their final pregnancy was difficult and brought another cancer diagnosis. 

“It became about saving Stacey in that moment,” Kent shares. “We coordinated a plan and after some scary moments, Stacey started to improve. We took that opportunity to live life — spending time together, traveling and simply appreciating what we had.” 

Stacey’s appreciation showed up in small but powerful ways. During one treatment, she received a care package meant to ease the burden and immediately asked if it could be given to another family who might need it more. 

“That moment stuck with me,” Kent says. “Even in the hardest circumstances, Stacey was thinking about how to help someone else.”

Stacey passed away in June 2023 after her courageous battle with breast cancer. She was 42.

She left a powerful example of generosity, resilience and love for her family and the community she cared for deeply. For Kent, the question that followed was how to carry her spirit and legacy forward.

“Stacey believed deeply in helping people,” Kent says. “Creating something that could continue doing that in her name felt like the right way to honor her.”

Upon the recommendation of friends, Kent reached out to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines to help carry Stacey’s compassion forward. He established a charitable giving fund supporting causes that mattered to Stacey and their family — particularly organizations serving individuals and families facing cancer.

“Working with the Community Foundation has made it possible to be intentional,” Kent says. “They help us think about where support can make the most difference and ensure Stacey’s legacy continues in ways that show our children who she was and what mattered most to her.”

Through Stacey’s fund, the Lehr family distributes grants to organizations providing support and hope to those navigating difficult diagnoses, particularly young women, mothers and children impacted by cancer.

“She lived with so much gratitude and generosity,” Kent says. “If we can keep sharing that with others, then her light keeps shining.”