Rolland Lemke

Rolland peacefully transferred to his heavenly home on June 13, 2024.

“Rollie” was born on June 22, 1933 to Ruth and Leonard Lemke Sr. in Grover, Wisconsin.  He was raised on the family farm, attended the one-room Feifrick School and graduated from Peshtigo High School.

He served in the US Army, in Panama.  While there, he proposed to his future wife, Ida Mae Gove, by letter.  She accepted and they were married a short time after his return.

He pursued further education at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and later received his Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

After graduation, he settled in Green Bay with his young family.  Rolland began his career as a teacher and junior high principal when Bay Port High School first opened.  He later worked for Wisconsin Public Service and next as an Associate Registrar for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.  The later years of his working career were spent at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College where he was a career counselor and taught Group Dynamics.

Since 1963, he was an active member of St. Mark Lutheran where he served on numerous committees, sang in the church choir and volunteered for many duties throughout the years. 

He enjoyed travelling with his wife, family and friends, golfing, singing with the Baylander Barbershop Chorus and his hours spent volunteering at Bellin.

Rolland is survived by his two daughters; Tamara (Chris) Groth and Lizbeth (Jeff) Nelson, his five grandchildren; Emily Groth, Maggie (Hunter) Larson, Zachary Nelson, Mackenzie Nelson and Kyra Nelson and his great-grandson, Crew Larson.  He is further survived by his sisters-in-law; Violet Gove, Alvina Johnson, and Susan Gove, thirteen nieces, fourteen nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Ida, and his son, Michael.  Also waiting for him in heaven – his parents, Ruth and Leonard Lemke Sr, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ida and Richard Gove, his brother, Leonard Lemke Jr “Bud”, his sister, Lucille Schonfeld, brothers-in-law; Russell Schonfeld, Roy Gove, Bob Johnson, Tom Melberg, and Rick Gove, sisters-in-law; Ann Lemke and Mary Jane Melberg, nephew, Tom Lemke.

Family and friends may attend visitation at St. Mark Lutheran-Green Bay Campus located at 1167 Kenwood Street, Green Bay, WI on Friday, June 21st at 9:30 am with service to follow at 11:00 am.  

Expressions of sympathy and memories may be left for the family at www.lyndahl.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mark Lutheran Church, the Michael Lemke Memorial Scholarship at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College or the Woodside Foundation.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful nurses and all staff at Woodside Manor for their care and kindness the past four years. Also, thank you to Jen and all of the special care givers from Heartland Hospice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rolland Lemke, please visit our floral store.