Lester Temke

Lester Temke, 90, of Karnak, died at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at the Metropolis Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.

He was born on Dec. 23, 1932, in Ullin.

He was a 1950 graduate of Ullin High School. He attended Paducah Junior College and Parkland College. 

He received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture in 1971 from the University of Illinois. 

Mr. Temke was a veteran. He served in the U.S. Army.

Lester and Patsy Bond were united in marriage on June 14, 1957. 

He enjoyed woodworking. He was a member of the Saint Luke Lutheran Church in Olmsted. He was the past president of the Illinois Chapter of the Soil Conservation Society of America. 

He retired after 35 years as the district conservationist in Livingston County. He served on the MAP Training Center Board for many years.

He is survived by his daughter, Brenda (Eric) Ruud of Normal;  son Scott Temke (Dawn Marie) of Mayfield, Ky.; four grandchildren, Gerald Temke, Andrew Temke, Chris Ruud and Caity Ruud; three great-grandchildren, Chloe Faith, Allie Marie and Dawson Wayne Temke; two brothers, George and Leonard Temke; and one sister, Patricia Hudgens.

Mr. Temke was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Bond Temke, in 2021; his parents, William Fredrick and Elsa Mayer Temke; brother Orville Temke; sister Roselee Holshouser; sister-in-law Michiko Temke; and brother-in-law, Donald Holshouser. 

Funeral services honoring the life of Mr. Lester Temke were at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at Saint Luke Lutheran Church in Olmsted. Pastor Jay Holden officiated. Interment followed at Concord Cemetery in rural Olmsted. 

Full military honors were accorded by American Legion Post No. 176 in Villa Ridge and the U.S. Army National Guard funeral detail team.

Pallbearers were Scott Temke, Andrew Temke Gerald Temke, Christopher Ruud, Kevin Washer and Darren Bond.

Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak was in charge of arrangements.