Margaret Jo Lemke

Margaret Jo Lorraine Richardson Lemke was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on October 6, 1931, to Walter and May Richardson and passed from this world on January 7, 2025, in Durant, Oklahoma at the age of 93. She graduated from Tulsa Central High School and later married the love of her life David Lemke, Sr., at her parents’ home on June 8, 1949. Margaret and David had 5 children over the years, and she worked on and off outside the home. After moving to southeast Oklahoma in the late 70’s, she worked many years at the Big Five Head Start in Durant. She loved to garden and care for her chickens and her dog. Her favorite hobbies were embroidery and making quilts for her friends and family. A Christian most of her life, she was a member of the Big Creek Chapel in Bokchito, Oklahoma. She was a regular volunteer at the Senior Citizen’s Center in Bokchito as well. One of her most endearing traits was that she always sent thank you cards for any gift and sometimes just for visiting her, and she never missed a birthday card for her kids, grandkids, great grandkids, or great-great grandkids. Margaret, known as Gram-E to her family, will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her, but her loved ones take comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with her husband David E. Lemke, Sr. in their eternal home in heaven. Margaret is survived by her children, Deborah Kay and husband Gregg Hilker, David Lemke Jr. and wife Kelli, Daniel Kurt Lemke and wife Pam, Drew Ann Pfister and husband Mike, and Donna Darlene Hampton/Watkins and husband Mike; grandchildren, Shannon Strope, Sharla and Mark Gruber, Spencer Stanley and Jackie, Brenda and Lamar Hagerty, Stena Dawn and Jeff Brewer, David Lemke III and wife Kyndra, Kaylynn and Kameron Curtis, Mandy Moenig, Taylor Lemke, Scott and Lindsay Bell, DeMichael and Nathan Moore, DeLanie and Zack Collier, Destanie Watkins, and Damien Lunsford/Watkins and wife Allyson; great grandchildren, Karson Strope, Layne Doss, Madelynn Mackey, Billy Curtis Bell, Timothy and Abbey Brewer, Morgan and Malkolm Hagerty, Trinity, Audrey and Julie Lemke, Hannah Margaret and William Moenig, Jackson, Easton and Savannah Bell, Raelyn, Katie, and Dylynn Moore, Rylee and Rowen Collier, and Charlie Goss; great-great grandchildren, Billy Christopher Bell and Lucas Moenig; sister in law Kathryn Richardson; nephew Jim Hughes; niece Jo Elaine Stoll and numerous extended family and friends. Margaret is preceded in death by her parents and siblings; her beloved husband of 68 years David Lemke, SR; grandsons Caleb Lemke and Andy Strope, great-grandson McKeon Mackey, and a great-great-grandson David Wade Bell. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Brown’s Funeral Service Chapel in Durant. Bro. Jim Hughes will officiate. Interment will follow in Bennington Cemetery with David Lemke III, Scott Bell, Taylor Lemke, Damien Lunsford, Morgan Hagerty, Malkolm Hagerty, Lamar Hagerty, Zack Collier, Nathan Moore, and Jeff Brewer serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Spencer Stanley, Billy Curtis Bell, and Rowen Rhett Collier. The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 6-8 PM. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownsfuneralservice.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Browns’ Durant Funeral and Cremation Service. https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/RWMRLQF9522DFPRZ

Margaret Jo Lemke

October 6, 1931 - January 7, 2025