Mark A. Lemke, 70, of Seward was healed of his Alzheimer’s when God called him home Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024.
Mark was born Feb. 21, 1954, in New London, Wisconsin, to Edwin and Ella (Bruns) Lemke. He was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran, Fremont, Wisconsin, and confirmed at St. John, Berlin, Wisconsin. Mark attended Concordia High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and continued his education at Concordia Junior College, where he met his wife, Cindy Rickman. Mark and Cindy transferred to Concordia Teachers College, Seward, and graduated with degrees in education in 1976.
Mark and Cindy were married in July 1976. Being members of LC-MS, they accepted calls to teach in Harahan, Louisiana, Cleveland, Ohio, Orlando, Florida, and Seward.
Mark received his Master’s Degree in Education from Cleveland State University in 1985, and his Doctorate in Education in 1996 from the University of Central Florida.
Mark enjoyed coaching basketball at the middle school, high school and college levels, and tennis at the college level. In his spare time, he played men’s softball, tennis and golf, and refereed basketball games. Mark and Cindy enjoyed traveling and visited 40 of the 50 states. Mark was a gourmet cook, and a home beer and wine maker.
Mark will be remembered and missed by his wife, Cindy; his children, Alexander (Katie) Lemke and Crystal (Ruben) Solano; grandchildren, Madeline and Jack Lemke, and Isabella and Mateo Solano.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Louis, Armond and Verlyn Lemke, Ardys Wellso and Shelby Lemke.
Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 2, from 2 – 5 p.m. at Volzke Funeral Home in Seward. The family will not be present at the visitation. The funeral service will be Friday, Jan. 3, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward with committal at the Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. John Hope Fund. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
