Marvin Dale Lemke

Marvin Dale Lemke, age 77, a resident of Erhard, died Wednesday, September 21, 2016, at Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls.

Marvin was born on March 8, 1939, to Fritz and Marie (Seidell) Lemke on the family farm in Erhad’s Grove Township. He attended country school in rural Erhard. Marvin was baptized at Bagtesvold Lutheran Church and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Erhard.

On August 9, 1959, Marvin was married to LaVonne Joyce Oliphant at Foxhome Methodist Church in Foxhome. For most of his life, he farmed and milked cows and was always giving directions using landmarks or objects as a turning point. He had a witty spirit where a person never knew if he was kidding or serious. He had an infectious smile and a twinkle in his eye especially while he listened to polka music on Sundays on multiple radio and tv stations.

Marvin was a member of the Snow Drifters Snowmobile Club and Grace Lutheran Church in Erhard. He enjoyed shooting pool, snowmobiling, polka music, dancing and anything John Deere. Watching Shane and Jamie in the field also brought him great joy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fritz and Marie Lemke; his wife, LaVonne Lemke; an infant son; a brother, Byron Lemke; a sister, Eileen Halverson; a granddaughter, MaKenzie Wheeler; two brothers-in-law; and two sisters-in-law.

Marvin is survived by his children, Kayla (Kevin) Wheeler of Fergus Falls and Jamie (Kristen Butler) Lemke of Erhard; his grandchildren, Jennifer Hams (Brian Olson), Shane Lehn (Ashley Holm), Chelsey McKeever, Rebecca Lemke, Mitchell (Sara) Wheeler, Melissa (Dennis) Anderson, Brandon Wheeler, Taylor Wheeler, Alexis Smischny, and Alyssa Butler; his great-grandchildren, Austin, Makenzie, Carly, Ava, Ashton, Colton, Harper and Chloe; his brothers, Duane (LaFaye) Lemke, Jerald (Marlys) Lemke and Keith Lemke; his sisters, Joyce Lynnes and Idella (Jim) Nitz; a sister-in-law, LaFaye (Bill) Thompson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation: 5:00-7:00 PM on Monday, September 26, 2016, at Olson Funeral Home, with a public prayer service at 6:30 PM. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 1:00 PM on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at Grace Lutheran Church in Erhard
Clergy: Reverend Brad Soenksen
Interment: Bagstevold Lutheran Cemetery in Erhard
Arrangements by Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, MN.