Kenneth Henry Lemke

Kenneth Henry Lemke, CPL, U.S. Army
Nov. 22, 1931 - May 1, 2026
Dad was born on the family farm just north of Syracuse, Nebraska on November 22, 1931, to Herman Herbert Lemke and Meta Marie (née Beckfeld). Early on, he learned the value and cost of hard work; he made sure to pass on those qualities to his children. He worked on the family farm and in construction, including building Luther Memorial Church and the original Community Memorial Hospital facility in Syracuse. Dad was soon drafted into the U.S. Army in July 1952 and earned his G.E.D. whilst stationed in Karlsruhe, Germany. After two years, he was honorably discharged and moved to Omaha to begin working in meat-packing plants, as a property owner/landlord, and as a bus operator for Metro Area Transit (MAT/Metro). He retired in 1997 after 20 years of service and a perfect safety record.
Dad was the hardest working man most people have ever met, and it showed in his life. Even into his 80’s, he'd have one of his kids hold the ladder so he could climb onto the roof of the house twice a year and use a leaf blower to clear out the gutters. He enjoyed planting his vegetable gardens and flowers, visiting with family, traveling, and had remained a wonderful example of love, hard work, staying active, and providing for his family.
He is preceded in death by his first daughter, Debra (née Lemke) Price; his parents, Herman and Meta; his sister, Lila Marie Linquist, and nephew Raymond Linquist. He is survived by his amazingly strong and dedicated wife and caregiver, Connie (née Kain), daughters Cheryl (Rob) Abrams, Amanda (Joshua) Rutter, and son Jason (Judy); stepdaughter Kimberly (Emerson) Duran; six grandchildren: Riley (Kaeleen) Lemke, Trevor (Sidney) Lemke, Gavin Lemke, Maximas Lemke, Chandler Harris, and Liz Duran; nephew James “Jimmy” Wilmot Jr., and several cousins.
Memorials may be directed to the family or to the Josie Harper Residence of Omaha. The family extends their deep appreciation for the excellent care, professionalism, empathy, and kindness they have shown to Dad and the whole family.
Visitation will be from 6-8PM at Braman Mortuary (1702 N. 72nd St, Omaha, NE) on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. The graveside service with military honors will be at Unadilla Cemetery in Unadilla, NE, on Thursday, May 7th, at 11AM. Family, friends, and neighbors are welcome.