Ruth Margaret Lemke

Obituary

Ruth Margaret (Proehl) Lemke was born on January 8, 1941, in Glencoe Township, Minnesota.  She was the oldest child of Raymond and Margaret (Bartz) Proehl.  Ruth was baptized as an infant on January 26, 1941, by Rev. Julius Dysterheft at her home in Glencoe, Minnesota, and later was confirmed in her faith as a youth on May 29, 1955, by Rev. Harold A. Bode at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota. She received her education in Glencoe, Minnesota, graduating with the Glencoe High School Class of 1959.  Ruth furthered her education by attending Concordia College in St. Paul, Minnesota, receiving a Teaching Degree. 

On January 2, 1965, Ruth was united in marriage to Loren Lemke by Rev. Perlich at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe.  Their life was blessed with two children, Sara and Paul.  In Ruth’s early years, she made her home in Las Vegas, Nevada, and then after her marriage she and Loren made their home in Glencoe, Minnesota.  Ruth and Loren shared 30 years of marriage until Loren passed away on December 1, 1995.  In 2012, when Ruth needed assistance with her daily care she became a resident of Grand Meadows in Glencoe. 

Ruth was a teacher at First Good Shepherd Lutheran School in Las Vegas, Nevada, Zion Lutheran School in Green Isle, Minnesota, and First Lutheran School in Glencoe, Minnesota, where she also was a cook.  She worked as a teacher’s aide at Helen Baker School and was known as “Grandma Ruth”.  Ruth worked at Glencoe High School as a laundry lady and seamstress, at Pamida and volunteered at the Glencoe Hospital.  She was a member at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota, where she attended bible study.

Ruth was a caring and giving person.  She enjoyed reading, sewing and crocheting.  Ruth cherished the time spent with her friends and family, especially her grandchildren.

Ruth passed away on Monday, April 3, 2017, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the age of 76 years, 2 months and 25 days. 

Blessed be her memory.

Ruth is survived by her:
Daughter, Sara Dammann and her husband, Brian, of Glencoe, MN;
Son, Paul Lemke and his wife, Amy, of Glencoe, MN;
Grandchildren, Ashley Dammann,
Jackson Lemke,
Katelyn Lemke,
Rebecca Dammann;
Special Friend, Roger Cohrs;
Brothers, Leslie Proehl and his wife, Ann, of Jacksonville, FL,
Marvin Proehl and his wife, Karen, of Nampa, ID;
Brother-In-Law & Sister-In-Law, Vernon Lemke of Mille Lacs, MN,
LaJean Herman of Princeton, MN;
Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives and many friends.

Ruth is preceded in death by her Parents, Raymond and Margaret Proehl; Husband, Loren Lemke; Brother, Dale Proehl, Brothers-In-Law and Sisters-In-Law, Delores Vollrath and her husband, Ruben, Mardell Lemke, Harlan Herman.