Herschel R. LEMKE

LEMKE, SWANSON, SAWYER, DOPDSON, MORRISON, OLSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/16/2011 at 09:00:37

February 15, 2011
Belmond Independent - Belmond, IA

June 13, 1945 -- January 28, 2011

Herschel R. Lemke, 65, Rough and Ready, CA, died January 28, 2011 after a two-year battle with cancer. A memorial service was held February 4 at the Twin Cities Church in Rough and Ready.

Herschel was born June 13, 1945 in Klemme, the son of Reuben and Edith Swanson Lemke. He attended school in Klemme through the 8th grade. The family moved to California in 1960, and he graduated from Poly High School in Long Beach in 1964. He served in the Army from 1968-1972 and was in Vietnam. Herschel worked as an auto mechanic for 40 years, starting in the Los Angeles area. Later he owned a mobile mechanic business in Concord, CA called the Mobile Wrench. He moved to the Grass Valley area in 2000 after his divorce. He kept his business going there until retirement a few years ago.

He married Patricia Sawyer on September 24, 2007 in Rough and Ready, where they made their home. They were very active in the Twin Cities Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Gordon; and sister Kathleen Dodson. Herschel is survived by his wife Patricia; step sons Tom and Alan; step daughter Debbie; sisters Beverly (Dennis) Morrison of Yucaipa, CA and Audrey (Merlyn) Olson of Santa Maria, CA; seven nieces; and three nephews.