Kenneth Lehrke

Kenneth (Ken, Kenny) Eugene Lehrke, 84, of Maple Grove, MN passed away peacefully on April 22, 2025. He was born on May 16, 1940 on a farm in Bryant Township, Roberts County, SD to Edward and Alice (Chapin) Lehrke, the fourth of six boys. He grew up in the area and attended country school, followed by high school in Browns Valley, MN. He enjoyed plays, baseball, and "the ranch". Following high school, he joined the U.S. Army, trained in fixed station radio and was sent to Pirmasens, Germany.

A couple years later, in the small town of Hinterweidenthal, he met and married the lovely Ilse Siegenthaler. Over the next few years, they had a son, Robert, and a daughter, Denise. Returning first to SD and then to MN, Ken began his 32 year career with Graco Inc and then 12 more years with Wanner Engineering as a System/Product Engineer designing new systems and products. He was proud of being awarded 15 U.S. Patents during his engineering career. After a reasonable interval (13 years), they had another daughter, Lisa. A few years later, grandchildren started arriving, so he was never long without his pride and joys. Ken lost his beloved wife to cancer in 2009.

Time spent with his family were Ken's most treasured moments. He was his grandkids' #1 fan at endless soccer, football, and softball events and could often be heard yelling words of encouragement and occasionally unwanted advice.

Kenny was a long-suffering, loyal Vikings fan for over 60 years and was unusually optimistic about the upcoming season. He could name most of the players from almost every roster and enjoyed analyzing each game when it was done.

After retirement, Ken preferred the simple things in life, bird watching, sleeping in late, a good cup of coffee, watching shows with grandson Brandon, and YouTube. He was blessed with a family that adored him, good friends, and wonderful neighbors who helped him enjoy most of his last years in his home.

Ken will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He was always smiling, joking around, and content in life. He will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Ilse, his parents Ed and Alice Lehrke, brothers William, Marlyn, Wayne, and Richard Lehrke, and sisters-in law, Rae Lehrke and Kaye Lehrke. He is survived by son Robert (Marge Fletcher), and daughters Denise Gill and Lisa (Ben) Ball; grandchildren Jennifer (Nic Zontelli) Lehrke, Travis (Katie) Gill, Brandon Gill, Megan and Emily Ball; great-grandchildren Nymeria Zontelli and Colt and Amelia Gill; brother Dean (Dianne) Lehrke and sister-in-law Vonnie Lehrke and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Friday May 2 at 11:00 AM at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel in Plymouth, MN. Visitation will be at 10:00 AM. In honor of Ken's devotion to the Minnesota Vikings, the family requests that guests wear Vikings apparel or purple or gold if possible to celebrate his well loved life.