Lawrence "Larry" James Lemke

Larry was born on May 18, 1948 to Dorothy P. Lemke (McGough) and Loren Lemke at St. Ansgar Hospital in Moorhead, MN.

He attended school at St. Francis Catholic School and went on to graduate from Moorhead High School in 1966. Right after high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy as a Marine Mechanic. Larry was proud to serve his country in Vietnam until his honorable discharge in 1971. He received several medals during his service.

Upon his return to Moorhead, Larry met and married Gloria Arneson in 1974. He became the stepfather to Gloria’s son Trevor Arnberg. They decided to adopt after they found out Gloria could not have any children due to her heart condition. They adopted their first daughter, Lisa, in 1977 and in 1980, they adopted a second daughter, Jill. Both were born in Seoul, South Korea. They made their home in rural Lake Park, MN for a short time then moved back to Moorhead. In 1988, Larry and Gloria divorced

Larry was a very skilled carpet installer; this was his trade for many, many years. He possessed other skills and trades as well, which he enjoyed. Larry decided to make a career change, so he went to Northwest Technical College where he earned his associates degree and became a journeyman electrician. This was his trade until he retired.

During his retirement Larry had the chance to live his dream and become a “snowbird”, enjoying his home in Mesa, AZ. He loved to fix and build anything he could think of. He also loved to fish, hunt, and watch sports/Nascar racing, but mostly he loved playing and watching golf. It was his passion no matter what the weather; in fact he was doing what he loved, being on the course, a few days before he was hospitalized. Larry also adored his grandkids and loved to spend time with them above all else. He cherished them and was a father figure to his granddaughters, helping raise them as if they were his own.

In May of 2013, Larry received the diagnosis of lung cancer; this did not knock him down. He said, “I am going to beat this!” and he did. Larry got word that he was in remission, however, the drugs that put him into remission, caused him to get a rare autoimmune disease which took him from us way too soon.

Larry is survived by his mother, Dorothy Lemke, Moorhead; father, Loren Lemke (AZ); daughters, Jill Lemke (Matthew Upton), Moorhead; Lisa Burgard (Billy Wischnak), Moorhead; stepson, Trevor Arnberg, (Kennewick, WA); grandchildren, Taylor Lemke, Kasey Okstad, and Chase Burgard (Moorhead); sisters, Laurel Sauvageau (Jim), Dilworth; Pam Leiseth (Dave), Moorhead; brothers, Stevan Lemke (Sonia), Moorhead; Greg Lemke (Mark Youngblood), Moorhead; half-brother, Lonnie (Charlene) Lemke, and half-sister, Lesley, both of Phoenix, AZ. Larry also leaves many nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins. He also leaves a friend, Lois Hickman, Moorhead. Larry is preceded in death by his grandparents, Ed and Edna McGough, and Arthur and Sadie Lemke; along with many aunts and uncles.

Larry’s entire family and friends, both locally and in Arizona, will miss him very much. We will have many, many memories of him to help heal such a great loss!

Larry's video tribute can be viewed at http://www.philpetersonproductions.com/hr-memorials.htm