ADDRESS: N 2546 Crane Drive, Medford, WI 54451
PLACE, DATE & TIME OF DEATH: Aspirus Care and Rehab, Medford, WI, Saturday March 7, 2015 at 10:30 AM, under the care of Hope Hospice.
TIME & PLACE OF SERVICE: 11:00 AM, Thursday March 12, 2015 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Medford, WI.
OFFICIATING: Rev. James Krueger
INTERMENT: Medford Evergreen Cemetery
VISITATION: Wednesday, March 11, 2015 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Hemer Funeral Home, Medford Chapel. Additional visitation will be held, from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 12, at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Medford.
DATE & PLACE OF BIRTH: March 25, 1922, Town of Goodrich, WI.
EDUCATION: Completed the 8th grade at Washington School in Goodrich, WI, and then attended Medford Area Sr. High.
MARRIAGE: Gertrude Martha(Graumann) Lemke on June 23, 1948 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Rib Lake, WI. She preceded him in death in 2004.
PRINCIPAL EVENTS IN LIFE: Rudolph truly was a jack of all trades. Soon after marrying Gertrude, he owned a sawmill in Holcombe, WI for a period of time, then moved to Goodrich and began farming. While farming in Goodrich he also ran a small saw mill, and went from farm to farm custom chopping. He helped construct the gas pipeline that ran from Ladysmith to Rib Lake, WI. He also helped build St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Goodrich in 1962. He then started logging, and logged until the age of 87. His favorite time of year was deer season. He enjoyed going dancing with his wife and playing “Sheepshead” with his friends on Friday night. He also enjoyed taking his children fishing as they were growing up. Very rarely did he ever hire someone in to fix something for him, he did all of his projects on his own, including remodeling his home. Rudolph’s faith was extremely important to him, and never missed a Sunday in church.
MEMBER OF: Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church for over 30 years, President of St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Goodrich until 1973, and was a member of the Washington School Board.
SURVIVING CHILDREN:
Fay (Paul) Risch of Abbotsford, WI, Rudy Lemke, JR. of Medford, WI, Joyce (Angelo) Hoeft of Athens, WI, Judy (Gary) Peche of Medford, WI, Erhardt (Catherine) Lemke of Medford, WI, Corless Lemke of Medford, WI.
CHILDREN DECEASED: Son; Guenther Lemke
GRANDCHILDREN: Christopher (Jenni) Risch, Carrie (Mike) Risch, Charles Hoeft, Elizabeth Evans, Sara (Kevin) Vetterkind, Theodore Peche, Adam (Ashley) Lemke, Alex (Mandy) Lemke, Cassie (Jeff) Kraemer
# GR-GRANDCHILDREN: 7, AND MANY NIECES AND NEPHEWS
BROTHERS/SISTERS DECEASED: Adeline Yench, Alfred Lemke, Albin Lemke, Almira Dahl, Loretta Lemke
DECEASED FATHER: Benjamin Lemke DECEASED MOTHER: Alma Bartelt
PALLBEARERS: Christopher Risch, Charles Hoeft, Theodore Peche, Adam Lemke, Alex Lemke, Kevin Vetterkind
OTHER INFORMATION: In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church or School.
-For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com
