James "Jim" Lembcke

Memorial services for Jim Lembcke, of Hoffman, Minnesota, will be held on Friday, August 5, 2022, 10:30 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris.  Father Todd Schneider will be officiating.  A visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Morris immediately following the memorial services.

James Alphonse Lembcke was born on April 10, 1936, in Morris, Minnesota to Emil and Anna (Braun) Lembcke. He was the youngest of ten children and was baptized and confirmed at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. Jim attended and graduated school in Alberta, Minnesota, where he was active in choir, basketball and football.

In 1953, Jim married Shirley Conley and the two welcomed five children together; one, a daughter named Julie, would only live a short while after her delivery.

The couple raised their family on a 25-acre hobby farm south of Morris. Jim, who worked for Wilbert Vault Company for nearly fifty years, would come home after a full day’s work and hop on his tractor and keep going. Not only did Jim have a talent and passion for running his acreage; he was also a skilled handyman. He would frequently see things that needed fixing and would get to them before even being asked. And while Jim may not have been boisterous about his feelings, he was generous and kind.

Jim eventually reunited with his long-time friend Muriel Krusemark and the two would spend many years together traveling, playing cards with friends and family, and sitting on the front porch.

Later in life, Jim spent much of his time visiting with his family, enjoying his bonus family (Muriel’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren), and talking on the phone with brother-in-law Bill while lounging in his big brown recliner.

Jim will be missed by many and fondly remembered for a few of his favorite things: Saturday morning carmel rolls at Chewy’s Café, going to the casino, fishing with his sons, spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids, as well as Muriel’s grandchildren, and his love for his dog and faithful companion, Cooper.

Jim passed away peacefully on Friday, July 29, 2022 at United Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota; he was 86 years old.

Left to cherish Jim’s memory are his children: Craig (Lynn) Lembcke of Lakeville, MN, Linda Lembcke of Marshall, WI; daughters-in-law: Marlene Lembcke of Poynette, WI, Gale Lembcke of Sun Prairie, WI; grandchildren: Nicole Warner, Nina Swenson, Kyle Lembcke, Caitlin (Ryan) Sonnenburg, Alicia Lembcke, Steve Duane, Sean Duane; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Eileen Lembcke and Esther Lembcke, both of Morris; many nieces and nephews; his special friend Muriel Krusemark of Hoffman, MN, -and her family. He is preceded in death by his parents: Emil and Anna Lembcke; brothers: John (Davina) Lembcke, Henry “Hank” (Virginia) Lembcke, Lawrence “Larry” (Lila) Lembcke, Raymond “Pete” Lembcke, Francis “Frank” Lembcke; sisters: Marion (Clarence) Swenson, Dorothy (Alton) Johnson, Amanda “Mandy” (Bill) Peel, Evelyn “Emmy” Lembcke; sons: Michael Lembcke and James Lembcke Junior; and his infant daughter, Julie Lembcke.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements for Jim.