Francis William Lembcke

Funeral services for Francis "Frank" Lembcke of Morris will be held Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 10:30 am at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. Father Robert Kieffer will be officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 5 to 8 pm, with a prayer service and K.C. rosary beginning at 7:30 pm, at Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris. Visitation will also be held Wednesday for one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Morris. **In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials in Frank's name to the Alzheimer's Association. Francis William Lembcke, son of Emil and Anna (Braun) Lembcke, was born December 4, 1929 in Morris, Minnesota. Frank grew up in the Morris area, where he began his education at District #12 country school. Frank then attended the West Central School of Agriculture in Morris. On June 23, 1954, Frank was united in marriage to Eileen Ann Selk at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. The couple made their home in Morris, where Frank took a job as a vault truck driver for the Chandler Wilbert Vault Company. Frank continued his work with Chandler Wilbert for nearly 40 years before retiring. Because of his work delivering burial vaults, Frank often told people, "I'm the last person to ever let you down." After retiring from Chandler Wilbert, Frank continued to stay busy as a driver for several years with Heartland Motor Company, Riley Bros. Construction Company and Morris Auto Plaza. Frank and Eileen also enjoyed their retirement by spending the winter months at their home in Apache Junction, AZ for many years. Because he was a service minded person, Frank became an active member of the Knights of Columbus, the Morris Lions Club and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening, raising flowers, fishing with his family, playing cards, making wood crafts and attending his children's and grandchildren's many activities. He and Eileen also loved traveling, and especially enjoyed going on bus trips and meeting new friends. Frank will always be remembered as the gentle giant, and he will truly be missed by all who knew him. Frank died on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris. He had lived to reach the age of 81 years. He is survived by his wife, Eileen Lembcke of Morris; five children: Gary (Bobbie) Lembcke of Norwood, Dave (Pat) Lembcke of Hutchinson, Cheryl (Jim) Lovig of Mantorville, Tom Lembcke of Hopkins and Tammy (Fred) Moser of Morris; 11 grandchildren: Nic Lembcke, Kris Lembcke, Brian (Mackenzie) Lovig, Blair (Annette) Lovig, Justin Moser, Jared Moser, Andrea (Matt) Petersen, Sara Lembcke, Candice (Ben) Middendorf, Anna Lembcke and Danielle Lembcke; 5 great-grandchildren: Joshua, Allie and Olivia Petersen and Katelyn and Michael Middendorf; one sister: Amanda (Bill) Peel of Gallop, NM; two brothers: Ray "Pete" (Esther) Lembcke of Morris and Jim Lembcke of Wisconsin; brother-in-law: Bob (Virginia) Selk and sister-in-law: Debbie Selk. He was preceded in death by his parents: Emil and Anna Lembcke; three brothers: John (Davina) Lembcke, Henry (Virginia) Lembcke and Lawrence (Lila) Lembcke; three sisters: Marion (Clarence) Swenson, Dorothy (Alton) Johnson and Evelyn Lembcke; father and mother-in-law: Fred and Marie Selk and brother-in-law: Jerry Selk. Pallbearers for the service are Frank's grandsons, with his granddaughters and all those who called him friend, serving as honorary pallbearers. Deb Mahoney will serve as pianist, with Holly Giese serving as song leader and Justin Moser providing the vocal solo. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.