Ruth Lehrke

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. Monday February 6th, 2012 at the St. John's Lutheran Church, Park Rapids, Minnesota.VISITATION : 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Sunday February 5th 2012 at the Jones Pearson Funeral Home, Park Rapids, Minnesota. Also, 1 hr. prior to the service on Monday at the church.INTERMENT : Greenwood Cemetery, Park Rapids, MinnesotaSURVIVORS : Her four children: Ronald (Carla) Lehrke of Vadnais Hts., MN, David (Mary) Lehrke of Park Rapids, Stanley (Carol) Lehrke of Vadnais Hts., MN and Charlotte (Jeff) Zurn of Lakeville, MN; 9 grandchildren: Chad Lehrke, Lisa (John) Stipe, Ryan (Penny) Zurn, Scott Lehrke, Derek Lehrke, Shandra (Nate) Soderberg, Tyler Lehrke, Jaclyn Lehrke and Zach Lehrke; three precious great grandchildren: Caly Zurn, Grayson Zurn and Maren Stipe; two brothers, Jack (Carol) Harris, and Darrell Harris. RUTH E. HARRIS LEHRKESeptember 16, 1921 ~ February 1, 2012 Ruth E. (Harris) Lehrke was born on September 16, 1921 in Ponsford, Minnesota to Hiram and Rose (Irwin) Harris. She received her schooling at Linnell Country School in rural Ponsford. In the late 30"s and 40"s she worked at Swan Island shipyard in Portland Oregon as a welder. Upon returning to the Osage area, she did domestic work and cleaning for several area families. During the course of her life Ruth also worked at St. Josephs Area Hospital for 15 years and at Sunset Nursing Home for seven years. Ruth was united in marriage to Charlie Lehrke on April 1, 1950 in Sisseton South Dakota. Their union was blessed with four children: Ronald, David, Stanley and Charlotte. Together they farmed in Osage Township for nearly 40 years. Ruth was a gracious hostess who was always quick to invite friends and neighbors in for a cup o coffee or a delicious meal. She enjoyed her home on the farm and was still living there until early in 2011. She was devoted to her family whom she loved dearly. She was especially proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren noting their many achievements. Ruth was a faithful member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids where she taught release time for many years and was a member of LWML Women"s group. Ruth will be lovingly remembered by her four children: Ronald (Carla) Lehrke of Vadnais Hts., MN, David (Mary) Lehrke of Park Rapids, Stanley (Carol) Lehrke of Vadnais Hts., MN and Charlotte (Jeff) Zurn of Lakeville, MN; 9 grandchildren: Chad Lehrke, Lisa (John) Stipe, Ryan (Penny) Zurn, Scott Lehrke, Derek Lehrke, Shandra (Nate) Soderberg, Tyler Lehrke, Jaclyn Lehrke and Zach Lehrke; three precious great grandchildren: Caly Zurn, Grayson Zurn and Maren Stipe; two brothers, Jack (Carol) Harris, and Darrell Harris; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charlie; brothers, her twin Robert, Harold, Richard, Don and Lorie; sisters, Lenore, Beatrice, and Jane. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 6, 2012 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with Reverends Tim Heineke and James Neubauer officiating. Visitation will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 5, 2012 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and for one hour prior to service at the church on Monday. Organist and soloist will be Scott Lehrke he will sing "The Lords Prayer". Congregational hymns will be "Beautiful Savior", "How Great Thou Art" and "Just As I Am". Casketbearers will be: Chad Lehrke, Lisa Stipe, Ryan Zurn, Scott Lehrke, Derek Lehrke, Shandra Soderberg, Tyler Lehrke, Jaclyn Lehrke, Zach Lehrke, Caly Zurn, Maren Stipe, and Grayson Zurn. Interment will be made next to her husband in Greenwood Cemetery, Park Rapids, MN.