Published: August 12, 2008 12:00 pm      

George A. Lemke

CLINTON — George A. Lemke, 42, Clinton, Iowa, died early Saturday morning, August 9, 2008, at Rochester Methodist Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota, following a courageous battle with cancer.

George Andrew Lemke was born December 27, 1965, in Clinton, Iowa, to John Arthur and Ruth Ann (Lingle) Lemke. He was a 1984 graduate of Mater Dei High School, Clinton. He attended Loras College, Dubuque, and the University of Northern Iowa at Cedar Falls. George graduated from the Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, Illinois, in 1987. He married the former Tina Watson, July 9, 1992, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Clinton. George had dedicated his life to the funeral industry for over 21 years as a funeral director and was employed by funeral homes in Davenport and Spencer. George and Tina purchased the former Cannon Funeral Home, Clinton, in 1999 and the former Nelson-Heesch Funeral Home and Clinton Lawn Cemetery in October of 2003.

George was a member of Prince of Peace Parish, Clinton, the Knights of Columbus, PADI Underwater Diving Association, Sons of the AMVETS, Muddy River Rugby Club and Clinton Country Club. George loved fishing with his boys, the outdoors and his dogs and enjoyed fishing, hunting and diving. He was a sports enthusiast especially for rugby and football. George had a heart of gold and would give you the shirt off his back, helping anyone in need at anytime. He was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

Surviving are his wife, Tina; sons, Konnor and Logan at home; his parents, John and Ruth Lemke, Clinton; sisters and brothers and their spouses, Linda and Robin Thompson, Tipton, Mary Ellen and Richard Carano, Ames, Iowa, Stephen and Lori Lemke, Delmar, Matthew and Rose Lemke, Burlington, WI, Karl and Amy Lemke, Fulton, IL, Dennis and Maria Lemke, Brian and Jill Lemke and John Lemke, all of Clinton; mother-in-law, Marjorie Watson, Clinton; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Tammy and Bruce Dixon, Cedar Rapids, Pete and Tatiana Watson, Land O’Lakes, Florida, and Cloyd Watson, Clinton; many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; special friends, Gil and Marlene Bott, Clinton; godparents, George and Bea Dehner, Clinton.

Preceding George in death were his grandparents, Bernhard and Margaret Lemke and Alfred and Genevieve Lingle and his father-in-law, Boyd Watson.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Lemke Funeral Home, 2610 Manufacturing Drive, Clinton, from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 13, 2008, with a vigil service at 8:00 p.m. Visitation continues at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Clinton, from 9:00 until 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 14, 2008. The Liturgy of Christian Burial for George will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday in the church. The Rev. Father Tony Herold presiding. Burial will follow at Clinton Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy memorials may be given to Prince of Peace College Preparatory School or Prince of Peace Catholic Church Building Fund.

Pallbearers will be his brothers, Stephen, Matthew, Karl, Dennis, Brian and John Lemke. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Goddard, Mike Witt, Matt and Mark Vilmont, Mark Evers, Tye and Travis Klooster, Steve Meyer and Phil Lemke.

Condolences may be expressed at lemkefh.com.

Death date: Aug. 9, 2008