Glenna M. Lemke

Glenna Maureen Lemke (Galstad) – June 19, 1933 – June 14, 2024

Glenna Maureen Lemke (Galstad) passed away peacefully Friday, June 14th with her husband, daughter, son and their spouses holding her hands to be with God and her parents. She passed on her dad’s birthday, so was able to have cake in heaven with her mom and dad. It was 5 days before her 91st birthday, 8 days before her 66th wedding anniversary and the 23rd anniversary of her retirement. June is truly Glenna’s month.

Glenna was born June 19th, 1933, in Austin, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her dad Harry Galstad and Eunice Galstad (Severson). She is survived by her brother Karloy Galstad of Plymouth, WI. Glenna’s husband of almost 66 years, Dennis Lemke, lives in Moorhead, MN at The Linden of Eventide. The two children, Leah Terry (Lemke) and her husband Scott “Cooter” Terry live in Argusville, ND and son Matthew Lemke and his wife Lyn Lemke (Yim) live in Topeka, KS.

Glenna loved her 6 Grandchildren – Rachel Mund (Eugene, OR) and Sarah Dosch (Eugene, OR) from Leah; and Kelly Lemke (Washington, DC), Tyler Lemke, Luke Lemke, and Madison Lemke from Matt (all in Topeka, KS). She was able to spend time recently with her 2 precious Great-Grandchildren Bjorn and Freya Mund (from Rachel) and talked via SnapChat with them every week.

Glenna graduated from Whitehall (WI) High School in 1951 as valedictorian. She matriculated to Fairview Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1954. She continued her studies in San Francisco and worked at the local Hospital. It was there she met her future husband, Dennis Lemke. Glenna won Dennis over with homemade pie and coffee (although Dennis didn’t like coffee, it was Glenna’s go-to). They were married on June 22, 1958, in Pigeon Falls, WI at Peace Lutheran Church. Glenna and Dennis homesteaded on the Lemke family farm outside of Sabin, MN.

Glenna was very active at Sabin Trinity Lutheran Church and Christ Lutheran Church of Topeka, KS. Her faith was a large part of her life. It is here where the infamous “Lena” character was born, performing at various functions throughout northern Minnesota and North Dakota. She worked tirelessly with the LWML and was always quick to serve church coffee and make bars for a gathering. 

 Glenna was an accomplished Nurse, starting in 1959 at St. Ansgar Hospital in Moorhead, MN as an RN in Pediatrics, later as RN in Medical, Surgical, and Obstetrics. Because of her broad experience and talents in working with people, she was promoted to Head Nurse in the Emergency Room and Part-time supervisor in the early 70’s. She had the pleasure of being on-call the numerous times Leah and Matt were brought in for stitches and broken bones. In 1980, Glenna was promoted to Director of Nursing and then to Vice President of Patient Care until 1987. At the time, she was the only female VP on staff at the Hospital.

Because of her care for patients and keen eye for great care givers, along with tough business acumen, she took the role of Managing Partner within the MeritCare Health System in 1988 where she continued to retirement in June 2001.

If you knew Glenna, you knew her Grandchildren, she cared for, guided, traveled and generally doted on Rachel and Sarah. Their bond is inseparable. In 2008, Glenna and Dennis moved to Topeka, KS to shift their daily doting to the 4 younger Lemke grandkids. Playing games, swimming, reading, and caring for the grandkids was what she loved spending her time doing. She was very competitive at everything she played and loved every game, even was a long-suffering Vikings fan.

Throughout her life, Glenna was always quick to have coffee with her daughter Leah and daughter-in-law Lyn. They shared stories, life-lessons, and laughter. She truly was a joy to be with and would light up any room or conversation.

A celebratory service will be held on Friday, June 28th at 2pm at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead, MN. Fellowship will precede the service.

Glenna was one of a kind and will be missed by the many people she touched throughout her life – her family, church members, co-workers. We love you, Glenna.