Helen Marie Lemke

Helen was born to Wilhelm and Christine Sorensen in Papillion, Nebraska on April 10, 1918. She was the seventh child of what was to be a total of eight children. On August 28, 2014, at the age of 96, she was the last of her siblings to pass away.

Growing up on a farm taught her many life skills such as hard work, laughter and the importance of family. Traits that she shared with those she came into contact over the years.

Graduating as Valedictorian of her high school class, she secured a job as a teacher in a small Christian school in Joplin, Missouri. Upon returning to Nebraska she took on various jobs in the Omaha area.

It was during her return to Omaha that she met Ivene Lemke. She was impressed with and wrote to him as he served in the U.S. Army during his WWII service in the South Pacific. He was equally impressed and upon his safe return they built on their relationship and were married on June 29, 1946. They then moved to Oregon to start their life together.

Their family grew with two sons, Robert and Hal. Helen and Ivene became more involved with their children's lives and schedules. They were active in the Salem Central and Silverton Seventh Day Adventist Church. Volunteering in the Pathfinder Club as leaders for 14 years working with pre-teens and teens developing interest in outdoor activities, nature studies and Christian values. Helen also was called upon to periodically substitute teach at the local grade school.

Her love for children continued throughout her life, especially when it involved her grandchildren and later, her great grandchildren. She would treat them to homemade dinner rolls, ebelskever, waffles, pancakes, dinner cuts, fri-chik, etc. There was always room at her table.

Preceding Helen in death are Robert (1967) while serving in the USMC and Ivene (1999). Surviving is her son Hal (Cheri); grandson Robert, named after Uncle Bob (Kami) Payton, Brady, Nash; grandson Joel; grandson Steve (Laurel) Alice and a great grandchild due in October.

In lieu of flowers, we suggest donations be made to 4Him2Day.org (Children's Cancer Resource Foundation) or Big Lake Youth Camp.org.

Services will be at Willamette National Cemetery, on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at 12:30 p.m.

Helen is in the care of Howell Edwards Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Home