Obit: Lemke, Rudolph H. Sr. (1922 - 2015)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bartelt, Dahl, Evans, Graumann , Hoeft, Kraemer, Krueger, Lemke, Peche, Risch, Vetterkind, Yench

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 3/10/2015

Lemke, Rudolph H. Sr. (25 MAR 1922 - 7 MAR 2015)

Rudolph H. Lemke Sr., 92, of Crane Drive, Medford, passed away on Saturday March 7, 2015 at 10:30 AM, under the care of Hope Hospice.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday March 12, 2015 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Medford, with Rev. James Krueger officiating. Interment will be at the Medford Evergreen Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Christopher Risch, Charles Hoeft, Theodore Peche, Adam Lemke, Alex Lemke and Kevin Vetterkind.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Hemer Funeral Home, Medford Chapel. Additional visitation will be held, from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 12, at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Medford.

Rudolph was born on March 25, 1922, Town of Goodrich, WI, to Benjamin and Alma (Bartelt) Lemke. He completed the 8th grade at Washington School in Goodrich, WI, and then attended Medford High School. Rudolph was married to Gertrude Martha (Graumann) on June 23, 1948 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Rib Lake, WI. She preceded him in death in 2004.

Rudolph truly was a jack of all trades. Soon after marrying Gertrude, he owned a sawmill in Holcombe, WI for a period of time, then moved to Goodrich and began farming. While farming in Goodrich he also ran a small saw mill, and went from farm to farm custom chopping. He helped construct the gas pipeline that ran from Ladysmith to Rib Lake, WI. He also helped build St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Goodrich in 1962. He then started logging, and logged until the age of 87.

His favorite time of year was deer season. He enjoyed going dancing with his wife and playing “Sheepshead” with his friends on Friday night. He also enjoyed taking his children fishing as they were growing up. Very rarely did he ever hire someone in to fix something for him, he did all of his projects on his own, including remodeling his home. Rudolph’s faith was extremely important to him, and never missed a Sunday in church. He was a member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church for over 30 years, President of St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Goodrich until 1973, and was a member of the Washington School Board.

He is survived by his children, Fay (Paul) Risch of Abbotsford, WI, Rudy Lemke, Jr. of Medford, WI, Joyce (Angelo) Hoeft of Athens, WI, Judy (Gary) Peche of Medford, WI, Erhardt (Catherine) Lemke of Medford, WI, Corless Lemke of Medford, WI.

Rudolph is also survived by his grandchildren, Christopher (Jenni) Risch, Carrie (Mike) Risch, Charles Hoeft, Elizabeth Evans, Sara (Kevin) Vetterkind, Theodore Peche, Adam (Ashley) Lemke, Alex (Mandy) Lemke, Cassie (Jeff) Kraemer; 7 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his wife Gertrude Martha (Graumann), parents Benjamin and Alma (Bartelt) Lemke, Son; Guenther Lemke, siblings Adeline Yench, Alfred Lemke, Albin Lemke, Almira Dahl and Loretta Lemke.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church or School.

For online condolences, please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com.