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Elmer Lemke, 93, of Bentley, ND passed away peacefully with his loving wife, Esther and their son, Duane at his side at the Jacobson Memorial Care Center in Elgin, ND on Sunday morning, September 17, 2023

Funeral services for Elmer will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 22, 2023 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mott, ND.  Pastor Corey Warner will officiate with burial to follow in the Sunnyslope Cemetery at Mott.

Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church Friday morning.

Elmer Everette Lemke was born in rural Walker Township, Hettinger County, ND, on April 9, 1930 to Julius and Emma (Iszler) Lemke. He was baptized at the Heuple Church north of New Leipzig. He attended school in Walker Township and one year at Mott Public School completing an 8th grade education.  He was confirmed at the Heuple Church on July 18, 1943.  At the age of 14 he began working with his dad in the former H & J Implement building overhauling engines.

He met Esther Magstadt and they began dating on November 21, during Esther's sophomore year of high school.  They were married on October 10, 1951 at the First Zion Lutheran Church in Elgin. To this union came three children; Duane, Denise and Desiré. Elmer and Esther lived on a farm north of Bentley their entire lives. Next month, they would have celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary.

Farming was at the heart of Elmer. Throughout the years, Elmer and Esther enjoyed farming with their son, Duane and his family. Other various jobs Elmer held, he delivered coal to rural residents from the Coffin Butte Coal Mine, measured grain bins for FSA, and he started Lemke Supply where he sold farm equipment, Schaeffer Lubricants and tires.

Elmer and Esther loved traveling on bus trips including the World's Fair in New Orleans, LA.  They lived at home until May of 2023 then Elmer entered the Jacobson Memorial Care Center in Elgin.

He is survived by his wife, Esther; son, Duane (Patty) Lemke, Bentley, ND; grandchildren, Juanita (Rob) Hertz, Jessica (Brian) Manolovits, Julia (Brad) Peters, Jaylea (Lance) Hourigan, Jasmine (Isaac) Franz, Jaden Sprecher, Taylor (Joe) Schenk, and Tobie Carlberg; great-grandchildren, Chandler, Dawson, Brett, Alyssa, Jenaya (fiancé Hunter), Cole, Emily, Max, Blake, Jace, Collin, Claire, Ellie, Kailey, Josiah, Madison, Jaden Jr., Blaire and Jax.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Emma Lemke, daughter, Denise and an infant daughter, Desiré; granddaughter, Justina Lemke and sister, Lucille Reich.