Richard A. Lemke

Richard Lemke, age 70 of Arlington, died on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at the V. A. Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. Burial services will be on Thursday, March 30, 12:30 p.m. at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. Richard was born on April 19, 1946, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin to August and Edna (Ahner) Lemke. He joined the United States Marines at the age of 18, (1964). He served in Vietnam from 1970 - 1971, where he received a Combat Acton Medal and a Gallantry Cross with palm. He was Honorably Discharged from the United States Marines after 10 years of service in 1974. He worked for years as a cook for the State of Washington Correctional Facilities and the St. Peter State Hospital in St. Peter, MN. Richard married Sandy Spellman in St. Peter on October 20, 1984. He was an avid collector of Coca~Cola products and Marine Corp. paraphernalia. He is survived by his wife Sandy; Son, Richard Cantu and his fiancé Desirae Roberts, Jennifer Rickmar, Ron Rickmar and step-daughter, Linda (Michael) Paggen of Arlington. Grandchildren; Zachary Cantu, Hunter Cantu, Sam Rickmar, Ben Rickmar, Taylor Moore, Bradly Moore, Josh (Angela) Paggen, Erik (Genna) Paggen, Tony (Chelsea) Paggen and Brent Morris; Great- Grandchild Owen Paggen. Brother, Randy Lemke of Fargo, N.D; Sister, Ranea (Harry) Conrad of White Bear Lake, MN. Mother-in-Law, Irene Spellman, Bothers & Sisters-in-Law, Lois & LeRoy Meyer, Karen Fuller, Dennis & Linda Spellman and Gail Spellman also many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; Brother Robert "Bob" Lemke; Father-in-Law, Frank Spellman; Sister-in-Law Punky Swenson and Brother-in-Law, Tom Spellman.

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