Dale R. Lemke

Dale Robert Lemke, 80, of Moorhead, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, October 17th, 2015 at Eventide in Moorhead, MN.

Dale was born in Huron, South Dakota, on March 9, 1935 to Janet Van Heuvelen and August Lemke. He attended school in Huron. Graduated from Huron High School in 1953. While in High School he attended Boys’ State, was Junior Class President, belonged to Key Club, and participated in all the singing groups. He was part of a very popular quartet called the Fair City Four. Their senior year they made 78 appearances around Huron. In 1968 he was listed in Outstanding Young Men of America. He attended and graduated from Huron College in 1957 with a degree in Business.
He married Lonna Mae Hanson June 2, 1956 In Huron, SD at First Presbyterian Church.

He was employed by USDA-Agricultural Research Service for 27 years. During his career Dale enjoyed moving to different labs to take on more responsibility. He was an Administrative Manager of Research Labs in Minneapolis, MN; Ames, Iowa; Brookings, SD; Weslaco, TX; Columbia, MO; and Fargo, ND. He received many performance awards during his career. One of the most challenging was accepting a transfer to the National Animal Disease Lab at Ames, Iowa. This was a new lab previously at Beltsville, MD and he was in on the ground floor from the very beginning in its start-up. His wife and two children – who were quite young at the time – enjoyed moving and seeing other parts of the country. He was proud of the fact that he saved the government money whenever he could. He retired in 1984 with a cardiac disability.

Dale and Lonna retired to Rush Lake, MN for 10 years. Dale had a ‘green thumb’ and loved to garden. While on Rush Lake he had a large garden and enjoyed sharing the bounty with all the neighbors. He always had beautiful flowers and plants inside and outside the house wherever the family lived. But most of all, he loved boating and fishing. He loved having the grandchildren at the lake and took them fishing often. He had lots of patience teaching them how to fish! He liked to visit with friends and neighbors. He was a kind soul and always did for others.

In 2001 they moved to Moorhead, MN. He always put the needs of others – his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, friends and neighbors – before his. He also loved playing cards and going to casinos.

Dale entered Eventide in 2010. We would like to thank the Eventide Staff and the Hospice of the Red River Valley for the wonderful care of Dale over the years.

Dale is survived by his wife Lonna of 59 years; Daughter Jolene Heising Dave Lawrenz, Moorhead, MN, Son Scott Liz Lemke, Clinton, UT; Brother Keith Marlus Lemke, Huron, SD, Sister-in-Law Phyllis Lemke, Huron, SD; Grandchildren Jamie Heising Matthew Jenison, Downer, MN, Joshua Heising, Moorhead, MN, Jessie Nicholas Pestel, Moorhead, MN, Clarissa Kolby Clarke, Dallas, TX, Adriana Lemke, Salt Lake City, UT, Kylee Jake Johnson, Provo, UT, Shaleene Lemke, Clinton, UT. Great-grandchildren Aleena Heising, Alex, Brooke, and Morgan Jenison.
He was also survived by many Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, Great-Nieces and Great-Nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Janet and August Lemke; Sister and Brother-in-law Lois Kenneth Monson; Brother Wayne Lemke, Niece Karen Monson.

Visitation will be 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Friday, October 23 at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. Visitation also one hour prior to the Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24 at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.