Lembke, Charles D. 1950 - 2012
LEMBKE, DOUGHERTY, RINGDAHL, BRANDT, INGVALSON, TIMP
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/26/2013 at 15:27:28
Charles D. Lembke, age 61, Salisbury, NC and formerly of New Hampton and Decorah, IA, died Sunday, August 5, 2012 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC of heart Failure, with his wife by his side.
Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 18, 2012 at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, with Rev. Mark Kvale officiating. Inurnment will be in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah with full military honors. HONOR MISSION by Patriot Guard Riders of Iowa. The Family of Chuck Lembke has asked the Patriot Guard to stand in honor of his service to his nation and to his community.
Visitation will begin on Saturday at 10:00 A.M. at the church, one hour before the service. There will be a Masonic and Eastern Star service at 10:00 A.M. Saturday.
Charles David Lembke was born November 14, 1950 in Iowa City, Iowa. He was the son of Florence Dougherty and Oscar Lembke.
Chuck lived in Luana, Iowa for a short while until his family moved to a farm on the Centennial Road in rural Decorah. He went to South Winneshiek schools until his junior year when his family moved one mile down the road and he finished his high school days in Decorah Community Schools, graduating in 1969.
After graduating high school Chuck joined the US Navy and served a tour in Vietnam until he left active service in 1972. He then became a member of the 389th Engineering Battalion, the Decorah Army Reserve Unit and served with them until 1984, having reached the rank of staff sergeant.
After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Chuck worked at various jobs from farming to cheese maker to factory worker. While serving as a police reservist in Decorah he found his true calling and served as a city officer for the New Hampton police department from 1979 to his retirement in 2007.
He was united in marriage to Jean Ann Ringdahl on August 21, 1982 at Congregational United Church of Christ in Decorah. They enjoyed spending time and doing things together.
Chuck was a member of Washington Prairie Lutheran Church as a child and young adult and attended Trinity Lutheran Church while living in New Hampton.
During his free time, Chuck loved to fish, hunt and read. He found an interest in watching birds around his home and just sitting and enjoying a hot summer day. He LOVED animals and was known as a softie when it came to dogs and kittens. He was a member of the Great Lights Lodge #181 (Masons) in Decorah and the Order of the Eastern Star, New Hampton Chapter #75.
In 2011, Chuck and Jean left their Iowa roots to begin a new chapter of their life in Salisbury, NC. Chuck loved the change and could not image going back to snow and cold. After a brief trip back to Iowa to see some friends and family, Chuck died Sunday, August 5th, 2012 at the Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC of heart failure, with his wife by his side.
He was preceded in death by his mother Florence on July 24, 1992, his father Oscar on September 14, 1994, his sister Marilyn (Lembke) Brandt; and father- and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Shirley Ringdahl.
Chuck is survived by his wife Jean; one brother Kenny (Marcia) Lembke of Decorah; two nephews, Shane Brandt of Phoenix, AZ and Kent Ingvalson of Decorah; two nieces, Whitney Timp and Kayla Ingvalson of Decorah; a great-nephew, Charles Brandt of Phoenix AZ; and a sister- and brother-in-law, Lynn (Larry) Ingvalson of Decorah.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
Phelps Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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