Shirley Marie Lemke, age 85, was surrounded by love and family at Prairie Senior Cottages in Isanti when she went to be with the Lord on February 29, 2024; one day following their 65th Wedding Anniversary. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 9th at 11:00 am at Zion Lutheran Church, 1601 S. 4th Avenue, Anoka, MN with Pastor Connie Tiede as the officiant. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am and a light lunch will follow the service.
The family of Shirley would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the amazing nurses and care staff of St. Croix Hospice and Prairie Senior Cottages for the compassionate care they provided to Shirley and their family. In lieu of flowers, memorials requested to a charity of your choice in honor of Shirley.
Shirley was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka. Her laugh, down-to-earth attitude, willingness to help others, and strength in the midst of challenges will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Shirley was born February 13, 1939 in Madison, Wisconsin to LaVerne and Rosemary (Haak) Otis. Her early years were spent growing up in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. Her family moved and she attended elementary and junior high school in St. Louis Park and later attended and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1957. On February 28, 1959 she married Leonard Lemke at Zion Lutheran Church in Crown, MN. They raised their family in Crystal, Minnesota and in 1995 they moved back to the home place near Crown and built their retirement home.
Shirley took wonderful care of her family providing a fun and loving home. In addition, she was a master organizer and fish fryer on many camping and fishing trips. When her daughters were grown, she worked as a cashier in a telephone company cafeteria and as a caregiver at St. Therese. Shirley and Leonard were always very active; bowling, biking, walking, golfing, gathering to play cards, traveling, and gardening. They created countless happy memories for their family and grandchildren over the years. Shirley was a great cook and her hobbies included embroidering, crocheting, and creating beautiful items to make a house a home.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, siblings; Bob (Lil) Otis, Don (Shirley) Otis, Harold (Carol) Otis, Charlotte (Bob) Armstrong, Jim Otis, Theodore (Bonnie) Otis, and Georgiana Otis, in-laws; Gale Jernell and Virgil Swing, and granddaughter, Megan Sullivan. She will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her husband, Leonard, two daughters; Wendy (John) Sullivan, and Cindy (Steve) Ince, two grandchildren; Jake Sullivan and River Sullivan, siblings; Gerry Jernell, Jeanne Swing, John (Jeanne) Otis, Thomas (John St.Germain) Otis, Richard (Chris) Otis, and Frank (Phyllis) Otis, sister-in-law, Audrey Otis, and many other loving family and friends.
Full obituary pending.
My sincere condolences to Tom and the whole family. When you hear some ringing, you will know she is having fun at a machine! Bless you all.