Karl R. Lemke's Obituary
Karl Richard Lemke, 85, of Clinton, Iowa passed away Thursday, April 17, 2025 at Resthave, Morrison, IL.
Services for Karl will be held at 11:00AM Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation will be held from 4:00PM to 7:00PM Tuesday at the funeral home. Military honors will be conducted by the Clinton AMVETS following the services Wednesday.
Karl was born July 7, 1939 in Lincoln, NE, the son of Bernhard and Margaret (Overton) Lemke. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Clinton, IA and IBEW Electrical Apprentice Program, Moline, IL. Karl married Jean Kennedy September 21, 1963 in Clinton, Iowa.
He was a United States Navy Veteran serving from 1957 to 1960.
Karl was employed in Electrical Construction for 13 years and as the Business Representative for 24 ½ years with the IBEW Local 145.
He was a member of the IBEW Local 145 and was on the Health and Welfare Committee for 30 years. He was inducted into the Quad City Labor Hall of Fame. He was a member of the AMVETS Post #28, Moose Lodge #363 and was a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Survivors include his wife, Jean; children: Karla Jean (Kenneth) Burn of Morrison, IL; Paul (Gina) Lemke of Kearneysville, WV; Robert (Kim) Lemke of Columbus, OH; Mark (Jennifer) Lemke of Tipton, IA and Adam (Cheramy) Lemke of Clinton, IA; 21 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and one on the way; siblings: Bernadine Dehner of Clinton, IA; Ruth Drews of Clinton, IA; John Lemke of Clinton, IA; Roger (Judy) Lemke of Cedar Rapids, IA; Phillip (Karlyn) Lemke of Fulton, IL and Phyllis Warren of Clinton, IA.
Karl was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, a sister, a sister-in-law and two brothers-in-law.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made for an IBEW Trade Scholarship to be set up by the family.
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