Richard Joseph Lemek 1934 - 2024

CORNWALL, LEMEK, BATEMAN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 11/17/2024 at 13:37:36

Sioux City Journal
17 August 2024

Richard J. Lemek, 90, of Davenport died Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.

Visitation for Rich will begin at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Davenport. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport immediately following Mass. Your presence and your prayers for Rich will be your gift. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Richard Joseph Lemek was born Jan. 2, 1934 in Sioux City, a son of John J. and Dorothy E. (Cornwall) Lemek. “Rich” graduated from Sioux City Bishop Heelan High School in 1952 where he lettered in football, track, and boxing. Following graduation, he attended Wayne State University, in Wayne, NE on an athletic scholarship for track and football. While in college, Rich enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean conflict as a Boiler Technician 3rd class (BTG3). Following his Navy career, Rich used his GI Bill benefits to attend the University of Iowa where he graduated with a BA in business. Rich married Maureen T. Bateman on June 9, 1956 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Sioux City, and from that day they remained inseparable, recently celebrating 68 years of marriage together. Maureen preceded him in death on June 16, 2024.

Following college Rich worked for short time in retail management and then pursued a 35-year career with The Hartford as an underwriter and special agent where he traveled extensively throughout Iowa and Illinois and was consistently a top performing salesman. Rich enjoyed many hobbies and interests. He regularly attended his beloved Notre Dame football games with his cousin, Ray and his friends. Rich was an avid bowler and golfer and kept busy attending any of his eight children’s events. He was a fixture at the YMCA, running the Turkey Trot and Bix 7-mile road races every year. He was also active in the Catholic Church and with Knights of Columbus. Rich and his wife Maureen were also active in grass roots efforts for the Iowa Democratic party.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children and their spouses: Stevan Lemek, East Moline, IL, Theresa Lemek, Davenport, Iowa, Christine (Paul) Clements, Cincinnati, Ohio, David (Maura Quinn) Lemek, Arlington, VA, Brian (Elizabeth) Lemek, Chevy Chase, MD, Donald Lemek, Arvada, CO, Annette (Beth Simpson) Lemek, Portland, Maine, and Tony (Carla Garcia-Rivas) Lemek, Bettendorf, Iowa; fourteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; siblings: Joe (Mag) Lemek, Sioux City, Barbara (Bill) Bohan, Sioux City, Jim (Lynn) Lemek, Fort Madison, Iowa, Iowa, Paulette (David) Berger, Urbandale, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maureen T. Lemek, a daughter-in-law, Jessica (Donald) Lemek, his parents, John J. Lemek, Dorothy E. Lemek; siblings Bob (Jan) Lemek, John (Ellie) Lemek, and Mary (Mike) Weltz—may they rest in peace.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.hmdfuneralhome.com.