Raymond Lloyd Lemke

Raymond Lloyd “Ray” Lemke passed away peacefully on Sunday May 21, 2023 at the Spring Valley Care Center. He was 93 years old.

Ray was born on March 12, 1930, in Yale, South Dakota, to Emil and Emilie (Musolf) Lemke. The family moved to Spring Valley in 1933 where Ray attended school, graduating from Spring Valley High School in 1948. He worked in the laundry service at the State Hospital in Rochester until being drafted into the army in January of 1951. Ray served in the army as a track vehicle mechanic in Germany until discharge in 1953.

On returning home, he worked various jobs. In 1957 he met and began dating Ruth Hintze. They were married on June 14, 1959. After working for a time with Kruegel Gas of Spring Valley, Ray began a 30-year career as a mail carrier with the US Postal Service. After retirement from the USPS, Ray kept busy with various jobs again, from construction assistant to camping trailer repair.

Ray was the proud father of 2 daughters, Carolyn and Ann. He was present at their many school activities and the whole family enjoyed many camping vacations all over the United States. He proudly walked both daughters down the aisle at their weddings.

Ray was very family-oriented and relished going to family reunions to visit with his aunts, uncles, and cousins, in addition to smaller gatherings of his siblings, parents, nephews, and nieces. In addition to family camping trips and family gatherings, Ray enjoyed watching sports, traveling and joined Ruth in fossil and rock collecting. He loved music and sang in the church choir most of his adult life. Ray and Ruth also played cards monthly with the same group of friends for 50 years.

Ray is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Ruth, and daughters Carolyn (Brian) Kanne of Medford, Minnesota and Ann (Brad) Ihrke of Spring Valley. Also surviving are grandchildren Deanna Kanne of Orlando, Florida, Michael Kanne of Medford, Josh (Brooke) Ihrke of Stewartville and a sister Anita Nelson of Spring Valley.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Emilie, infant brothers Irvin and Melvin, sisters Anna Richardson, Leona Nelson, and Doris Crabtree; brothers Edwin Lemke and Wilmer (Bill) Lemke; brothers-in-law Douglas Richardson, Alan Nelson, David Crabtree, and Ken Nelson; and sisters-in-law Lila Lemke and Sylvia Lemke; 2 nephews and 2 nieces.

Memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M. June 1, 2023 at our Saviors Lutheran Church in Spring Valley with Rev Jolene Knudson-Hanse officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church from 5-7 P.M. on Wednesday May 31 and will continue for 1hr prior to the service.

Condolences may be left at www.Hindtfuneralhomes.com

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