Elmer Lemke

Elmer A. "Skip" Lemke, 86, of Mackinaw, IL, formerly of Normal passed away Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at The Loft Rehabilitation & Nursing in Eureka. Skip was born New Year's Eve 1932 in Clintonville, WI, to Elmer L. and Esther R. Tober Lemke. On April 20, 1957 he married Caryl A. Teasdale in Darlington, WI. Skip is survived by his wife, Caryl, three children, Karla (Doug) Janis of Elburn, Kip Lemke of Stillwater, OK, Kurt (Bonnie) Lemke of Mackinaw, four grandchildren, Ben (Kelsey) Janis, Christopher (Lauren) Janis, Brian Janis, Jake Lemke, one sister, Carolyn (Terry) Lehman, and one sister-in law Elizabeth Fischer, and several nieces and nephews. Skip graduated from Clintonville High School in 1950. He was the first of his family to receive a high school diploma. He then attended University of Wisconsin-Stout. His college years were interrupted by the Korean War. Skip enlisted in the Army and served in the Army Security Agency. When he completed his tour in the service he returned to University of Wisconsin-Stout Madison to complete his degree. Skip and Caryl moved to Milwaukee where he taught at Marquette University's College of Engineering. He then received his PhD in Educational Measurement and Experimental design from University of Wisconsin-Stout. Skip and Caryl moved to Normal, IL, where Skip taught in the Psychology department of ISU for 32 years. Skip's passions in life were his family, fishing and woodworking. For 45 years Skip and his family would spend time fishing in the summer at their cabin in Canada he built.A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 1:30 P.M. at Darlington United Methodist Church (546 Park Place, Darlington) with Rev. Angela Utter officiating. Burial will be in Union Grove Cemetery. A visitation will be held Saturday, August 17, 2019 from 1:00 P.M. until the time of services at the church. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com. For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Skip's name.