In loving memory of

Edmund Gene Herke
June 20, 1928 - April 28, 2019

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 2, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Graettinger. Burial is in Valley View Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday at the church.

Edmund Gene Herke was born June 20, 1928 in Osgood, Iowa, the son of Ed and Ina (Burg) Herke. On March 23, 1945, Edmund was united in marriage to Fern Lewis in Jackson, MN. The couple farmed southeast of Graettinger.

Edmund was a member of the United Methodist Church in Graettinger, the Hillcrest Golf and Country Club, and the former Palo Alto County Rough Riders Snowmobile Club. He enjoyed serving on the Conservation Board and Valley View Cemetery Board. Edmund and Fern were avid Labor Day volunteers being honored as Grand Marshalls for The Graettinger Labor Day Celebration in 2005. Edmund and Fern enjoyed their winters in Arizona, summers at Lost Island. Traveling with friends and golfing together. Edmund had a love for the casino and the 5 o'clock hour. Most of all, Edmund treasured the time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

On April 28, 2019, Edmund passed away at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, Iowa.

Left to cherish his memory are his two children, Doug Herke (Mary), and Lisa Hovinga (Jerry) both of Graettinger; brother Larry Herke (Shelia) of Mankato, MN; sister, Mary Lane Cunningham of Pontiac, Ill; brother in-law George Tonderum of Emmetsburg; 12 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; and 3 great great grandchildren; special friend June of Watertown, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Fern; daughter Diane Alesch; son in-law Tony Alesch; infant brother Dwain; sisters, Harriet Duhn and Shirley Tonderum; brothers in-law Richard Cunningham and Richard Duhn; and a grandson, Douglas Herke.

Tributes

Mayo Newhouse wrote on May 1, 2019:

"Doug....sorry for your loss. Edmund was always good to me when I was a skinny high school neighbor. I know he had his share of fun.....mayo newhouse"

John and Shirley Schmidt wrote on Apr 30, 2019:

"Doug, we are sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed visiting with your dad. I remember him telling how he helped dig the water line at my farm in by hand as a young lad. His smiling face will be missed by all. John and Shirley Schmidt (Zitterich)"

Liz Hoffman wrote on Apr 28, 2019:

"So very sorry for your loss. A great man that will be truly missed. Hoffman & Hauge Families "

Pat and Kathy (Frambach) Kliegl wrote on Apr 28, 2019:

"So sorry to hear of Edmund's passing. Thoughts and prayers for all the family."

Clint Nelson wrote on Apr 28, 2019:

"Very sorry to hear thoughts and prayers to you all. "

Clint Nelson wrote on Apr 28, 2019:

"Very sorry to hear. Thoughts and prayers to you all. Clint Nelson "