Lemke, William 1867-1937

LEMKE, BRENNER, BAHLKE, LOOBY, LENTH, SCHMIDT

Posted By: Ken Johnson (email)
Date: 12/18/2022 at 19:46:56

Wed., 5 May 1937 issue of “Clayton County Register” (Elkader, IA), page 5, columns 5 and 6:

WILLIAM LEMKE

William Christian Daniel Lemke, who died at his home in La Crosse, Wis., April 30th, following an illness of five months, was born April 18, 1867, on a farm in Read township, this county, the son of William and Sophia (Brenner) Lemke. He reached the aged of 70 years and 12 days.

He was united in marriage to Anna Bahlke Sept. 29, 1891. In the spring of 1892 he and his wife started housekeeping on a farm in Wagner township. Two children, Mahala and Alta, were born to this union. The former died in infancy, and the latter, now Mrs. Charles Looby, resides on a farm near Wadena. Mr. Lemke’s wife preceded him in death April 10, 1898. About 20 years ago Mr. Lemke gave up farming and moved to La Crosse, where he has since lived.

He was a member of the Farmersburg Masonic lodge and affiliated with the DeMoley [sic] Consistory at Clinton.

Besides his daughter, he is survived by four grandchildren: Charlton, Idella, Lyle and Dorothy Mae Looby; five sisters, Mrs. Wm. Schmidt and Mrs. Henry Lenth, of Elkader; Mrs. Lena Lenth, Postville; Mrs. Emma Schmidt of near Monona, and Mrs. Ida Lenth of near Farmersburg; also many other relatives and friends, Mrs. Emma Christen and daughter Florence, of La Crosse, who cared for him during his last illness.

A brother, Henry, died in 1929.

Funeral services were held at the Sletten and McKee company chapel in LaCrosse, Sunday afternoon at two o’clock. On Monday afternoon at two o’clock services were held at the opera house at Farmersburg. The Rev. M. J. Harder, pastor, Miss Lucia Roggman, organist, and F. G. Bierbaum, soloist, of the St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran church, Garnavillo, provided the services. Miss Roggman and Mr. Bierbaum sang appropriate selections. Four brothers of the DeMolay [sic] Consistory of Clinton were present to conduct the Rose Croix ceremony. Interment was made in the old cemetery at Clayton Center.

Pallbearers were: Ed Johnson, Otto Fuelling, Carl Gall, August Mahnke, Hugo Oelke and John Heiden, all of Farmersburg.