Louis Wendell Lemke

Louis Lemke Recorded Service & Committal Link

Sibley, IA 

     Louis Lemke age 92 of Sibley, Iowa died Sunday, August 16, 2020 at Sibley Specialty Care in Sibley.

     Funeral service will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, August 22, 2020 at United Methodist Church in Sibley, Iowa, with Reverend Steve Swenson, officiating.

     Burial will follow in the Holman Township Cemetery of Sibley, with military honors by the William F. Allard VFW Post No. 7373 and George E. Mudge American Legion Post No. 324.

   Visitation will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Friday, August 21^st at the United Methodist Church in Sibley.  Social distancing guidelines will be followed.

     Louis Wendell Lemke was born June 19, 1928 to Louis F. and Viola Mae (Canney) Lemke at Merrill, Iowa. After the untimely death of his mother he was raised by his grandmother Emma Lemke in Le Mars, Iowa. He attended Le Mars schools through his sophomore year then transferred to Merrill, where he graduated with the class of 1947.

     After high school he helped with the farming operation until entering the U. S. Army in 1951. He served his country in Korea for 19 months returning home and to a discharge in 1953. After discharge he held different jobs in the Le Mars and Merrill area.

     He was united in marriage to Carol Rollins on October 3, 1954 in Le Mars. After their marriage they made their home in the Le Mars and Alton area. Working at the Alton rendering works until starting to haul can milk to the Osceola Co-OP Creamery in 1956. They then moved to the Struble, Iowa area, where they remained until moving to Sibley in 1964.

     He continued his employment with the Co-Op, later known as Associated Milk Producers (AMPI) until his retirement in 1990. After retirement he was employed by United Co-Op in Ashton, Iowa. The Co-Op Elevator in Sibley and Jettie Farms of Sibley.

   He was active in the Relay for Life and volunteering at the Senior Center helping with Meals on Wheels.

     He was a member of the William F. Allard VFW Post No. 7373 in Sibley.

     Louis is survived by seven children, Valerie Van Roekel of George, IA, Beth Alford of Sibley, IA, Steve (Diana) Lemke of Omaha, NE, Carl Lemke of Fort Madison, IA, Tom (Lucinda) Lemke of Sibley, IA, Terry (Crystal) Lemke of Globe, AZ and Larry Lemke of Sibley, IA; 15 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; sister, Sharron Hanke of Kenai, Alaska; and many other extended family.

     He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Leland, and wife Vivian Lemke; brother-in-law, Dale Hanke; his wife, Carol Lemke; two sons, Mark and Bradley Lemke; and two grandchildren, Nicole “Nikki” Lemke and Cory Lemke.