LaVonne Lemke

LaVonne Joyce Lemke, 68, a resident of Erhard, died Thursday, March 25, 2010, under the loving care of Lakeland Hospice House in Fergus Falls.  She was born August 10, 1941, in Breckenridge, Minnesota, the daughter of Lawson and Lucille (Johnson) Oliphant. She was baptized and confirmed at Foxhome Methodist Church. She attended school in Foxhome through the 8th grade, and then attended Breckenridge High School, graduating in 1959. On August 9, 1959, she married Marvin Lemke at Foxhome Methodist Church in Foxhome. She worked briefly at West Central Turkey in Pelican Rapids, and then was a farm wife and homemaker until her retirement in the fall of 2002. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Erhard and it’s Ladies Aid. She was a former member of the Red River Riders Saddle Club. LaVonne enjoyed gardening – vegetable and flower gardens, and enjoyed all animals, especially horses and her two dogs, Cocoa and Lotty. She was very creative and used those talents to constantly redecorate her home. Spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren brought her much joy. Preceding her in death were an infant son, her father, Lawson Oliphant, her mother-in-law, Marie Lemke and father-in-law, Fritz Lemke, her stepfather, Winston Harry, a granddaughter, McKenzie Wheeler, three brothers-in-law, and one sister-in-law. Survivors include her husband, Marvin Lemke of Erhard; her mother, Lucille Harry of Fergus Falls; two children, Kayla (Kevin) Wheeler of Fergus Falls, and Jamie Lemke of Erhard; nine grandchildren: Jennifer (Justin) Hams of Erhard, Shane Lehn (fiancée Gail Ronsberg) of Rothsay, Chelsey McKeever of Morris, Rebecca Lemke of Erhard, Alexis Smischny of Erhard, and Brandon and Taylor of Fergus Falls, Mitchell Wheeler and Melissa Anderson; two great-grandchildren, Austin Lehn and Makenzie Hams; three step great grandchildren, Carly, Ava and Ashton Anderson; a sister, LaFaye (Bill) Thompson of Erhard; four brothers-in-law; six sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation:  One hour prior to the service at the church Memorial Service: 1 p.m. Monday, March 29, 2010, at Grace Lutheran Church in Erhard Clergy: Chaplain Wes Hart Interment: Bagstevold Cemetery, rural Erhard Funeral Home:  Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com