Glenna M. Lemke (Galstad)
Glenna Maureen Lemke (Galstad) passed away peacefully, Friday, June 14, 2024, with her husband, daughter, son, and their spouses, holding her hands, to be with God.
Glenna was born June 19, 1933, in Austin, MN. She graduated from Whitehall High School in 1951, as Valedictorian. Glenna matriculated to Fairview Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1954. She continued her studies in San Francisco and worked at the local hospital. It was there she met her future husband, Dennis Lemke. They were married June 22, 1958, in Pigeon Falls, at Peace Lutheran Church. Glenna and Dennis homesteaded on the Lemke family farm outside of Sabin, MN.
Glenna was an accomplished nurse, starting in 1959 at St. Ansgar Hospital in Moorhead, MN, then as a RN in Pediatrics, and later as a RN in Medical, Surgical, and Obstetrics. She was promoted to Head Nurse in the Emergency Room in the early 70s. In 1980, Glenna was promoted to Director of Nursing and then served as Vice President of Patient Care until 1987. She took the role of Managing Partner within the MeritCare Health System in 1988, where she continued until retirement in June, 2001.
In 2008, Glenna and Dennis moved to Topeka, KS, to be near the four younger Lemke grandkids. Playing games, swimming, reading and caring for the grandkids was what she loved spending her time doing.
Glenna was active at Sabin (MN) Trinity Lutheran Church and Christ Lutheran Church (Topeka, KS). Her faith was a large part of her life. She worked tirelessly with the LWML and was always quick to serve in any manner.
Glenna is survived by her brother, Karloy Galstad (spouse Carol) of Plymouth, WI; Glenna’s husband of almost 66 years, Dennis Lemke, who lives in Moorhead, MN, at The Linden of Eventide; two children: Leah Terry (Lemke) and her husband, Scott “Cooter” Terry, who live in Argusville, ND, and son, Matthew Lemke, and his wife, Lyn Lemke (Yim), who live in Topeka, KS; Glenna’s six grandchildren: Rachel Mund (Eugene, OR) and Sarah Dosch (Eugene, OR) from Leah; and Kelly Lemke (Washington, DC), Tyler Lemke, Luke Lemke, and Madison Lemke from Matt (all in Topeka, KS); also two great-grandchildren: Bjorn and Freya Mund (from Rachel).
She was preceded in death by her dad, Harry Galstad; and mother, Eunice Galstad (Severson).
A Celebratory Service will be held Friday, June 28, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead, MN. Fellowship will precede the service.
