Lemke, Edith Maude 1899-1973

LEMKE, PLAYLE, MCMEEKIN, OWENS, FREEBORN, SHEELER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/9/2010 at 13:18:32

The Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa)

EDITH LEMKE RITES TODAY

Edith Maude Lemke, 73, of 223 Broad St., the widow of Herman H. Lemke, died suddenly Monday afternoon at Grinnell General Hospital.

The daughter of James and Lydia B. Playle McMeekin, she was born July 26, 1899, near Ewart. She attended the rural schools near her home.

On Sept. 5, 1917, she was married to Herman Henry Lemke in Ewart. The couple had 10 children: Donald Lemke of Grinnell, Earl Lemke of Grinnell, Mrs. Bill (Dorothy) Owens of Newton, Mrs. Russell (Hazel) Freeborn of Grinnell, Leonard Lemke of Grinnell, Walter Lemke of Montezuma, James Lemke of Grinnell, Ralph Lemke of Grinnell, Marvin Lemke of Dixon, Mo., and Calvin Lemke of Winchester, Va.

Mr. and Mrs. Lemke farmed in Poweshiek and Jasper counties most of their lives. In 1949, they moved to Grinnell to make their home. Mr. Lemke died July 5, 1967.

Mrs. Lemke is survived by her 10 children: 42 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Mary Sheeler of Grinnell; and a brother, Robert McMeekin, also of Grinnell. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, seven grandchildren, one great-grandson, and one sister in infancy.

Funeral services for Mrs. Lemke were held at 2:30 p.m. today (Thursday) at the Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Myron L. Harris, pastor of the Northside Friends Church, officiating. Music was provided by Mrs. Willard Heffner, organist, and Francis Graves, vocalist. Pallbearers were Floyd Haines, Albert Lemke, Bruce Lemke, Donald E. Lemke, Larry Lemke, and Phillip Lemke.

Burial was in Pleasant Township Cemetery, Ewart.