Willard H Ziemke

Willard H. Ziemke, age 81 of Mankato and formerly of rural Vernon Center, died Sunday, May 13, 2007 at Immanuel-St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Vernon Center with Rev. John Bennett officiating. Burial will be in Willow Creek North Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 " 7 p.m. Wednesday at Lake Crystal Mortuary and one hour before the service at the church on Thursday. Memorials may be given to the donor's choice.

Willard was born June 28, 1925 to Henry and Emma (Turner) Ziemke in rural Vernon Center. He graduated from Garden City High School in 1943. Willard served in the US Army in the Pacific. He was united in marriage to Phyllis Reinke on July 10, 1964 in Mayer, MN. Willard was a lifetime farmer in the Vernon Center area. He was a member of Peter's Lutheran Church in Vernon Center and a life member of the VFW. Willard enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, cards, and was an avid reader and Twins fan.

He is survived by his son, Dr. Jerry Ziemke of Greenbelt, MD; two step-children, Thomas Treider of Fairmont, MN, Pamela Treider of Minneapolis; step grandchildren; step great-grandchildren; three sisters, Marvel (Barto) Cooley of Tacoma, WA, Dorothy (Orin) Wiederhoeft of Amboy, Dolores (Kermit) Wiederhoeft of Amboy; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, two sisters, Evelyn and Geraldine.