Eleanor Margaret Lemke

Rock Rapids, IA Eleanor Lemke, age 84 of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, formerly of Rock Rapids, IA died Saturday, September 24, 2011 at Wisconsin Rapids Nursing and Rehab Center in Wisconsin. Funeral Service will be 1:30 PM, Saturday, October 1st, 2011 at Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids with Rev. Mark Hansen officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Friday, September 30th from 5 " 7 PM, with the family present at Jurrens Funeral Home in Rock Rapids. Eleanor Margaret (Kunz) Lemke was born into this world on November 26, 1926 in Bismarck, ND, the daughter of Christopher and Alfield (Sievert) Kunz. Her family moved to California shortly after her birth where they settled in San Diego. Eleanor lived there until her marriage to Reverend Paul Lemke on February 18, 1945. As her husband began his ministry, she began her role as a ministers wife in Jefferson, IA at the age of 18. After several moves to new congregations in Iowa and California, they moved to Rock Rapids, IA in November of 1964, where they lived until retirement in 1985. During retirement they would spend their winters in Fountain Hills, AZ and summers at their home in Lake Park, IA. Pastor Paul passed away on September 8, 1993. Eleanor continued to winter in Arizona until 2008, when she became a full time resident. In April of 2011, she moved to Wisconsin Rapids, WI, where she lived out her days amongst family. Eleanor will be remembered for her warm smile and caring ways " making everyone feel welcome and at home. She was an exemplary pastors wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her faith and family were of utmost importance in her life and her most memorable times were when shared with family and friends. Left to share her memory is three children, daughter Barbara Van Roekel and husband Roger of Rock Rapids, IA, son Steve Lemke of Spirit Lake, IA, and daughter Patti Olinyk and husband Mark of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; seven grandchildren, Lisa, Dave, Dan, Cari, Brendan, Leah and Blake; eight great-grandchildren, Errika, Steven, Austin, Kody, Kira, Tyler, Aidan and Emily; brother, Robert Kunz of Vancouver, WA; and a host of treasured friends and relatives that meant so much to her throughout her life. She preceded indeath by her husband, parents, and a son, James Fredrick who died at the age of 2 ½. The Lord can say to her, Well done thou good and faithful servant . Blessed be her memory. A memorial fund has been established to foster ministers through the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in the name of Rev. Paul Lemke Scholarship Fund. Memorials may be sent to: Peace Lutheran Church, 902 S. Carroll Street, Rock Rapids, IA, 51246.