Mardell Carol Lemke
Passed away in Phonex, Arizona on January 15, 2015
Memorial Service: 2:00 PM Thursday, January 29, 2015 at St. James Lutheran Church of Howard Lake
Visitation: 4-8 PM Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake
OBITUARY
Mardell Carol Lemke was born October 18, 1940 in Cokato, Minnesota, the daughter of Marvin and Bernadette (Engelman) Schuman. She was baptized on November 10, 1940 and confirmed in her faith on April 11, 1954 at St. James Lutheran Church, Howard Lake.
After graduating from Howard Lake High School she attended Concordia College, St. Paul, Minnesota.
On August 18, 1960, Mardell was married to Vernon Lemke at St. James Lutheran Church. Their marriage was blessed with five children.
Mardell taught in Lutheran grade schools in New Germany and Watertown. In Howard Lake, she was a substitute at St. James Lutheran grade school and the Howard Lake elementary school. For over 34 years she provided daycare in her home in Howard Lake. Many children adored her. Each child was very special to her, and she cared deeply for each and every one of them.
Two years after their retirement Mardell and Vern moved to Garrison, Minnesota in 2007. They enjoyed spending time with family and friends. They spent their summers in Garrison and winters in Apache Junction, Arizona.
On January 15, 2015, while a patient at Banner Good Samaritan Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona Mardell was called to her eternal rest.
She was preceded in death by her parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law Paul and Lorena Lemke; brother Beryl Schumann; sister-in-law Delores Vollrath; brothers-in-law Harlan Herman and Loren Lemke.
Mardell is survived by her husband Vernon Lemke; children Lynn Eischens (husband Doug, children Jennifer, Nicholas and Shawn), Joel Lemke (wife Jan, children Matthew and Brooke), Kim Wilson (husband Tony, children Krista and Katie), Jere Lemke (significant other Melissa, children Andrew, Brian, Kayla and Cody), and Dean Lemke (children Mercedes, Dylan and Lexi); fourteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. She is further survived by sisters-in-law LaJean Herman, Ruth Templin and Joyce Schumann; brother-in-law Rueben Vollrath; other family and friends to numerous to mention but not forgotten.
Honorary Pallbearers are her grandchildren: Jennifer Jerdee, Nicholas Lemke, Shawn Webb, Matthew Lemke, Brooke Lemke, Krista Zieglmeier, Katie Zieglmeier, Andrew Jerde, Brian Jerde, Kayla Schlicht, Cody Lemke, Mercedes Lemke, Dylan Lemke and Alexia Lemke.
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