John Henry Lienke

John Henry Lienke, 101 year old resident of Pemberton, died peacefully Tuesday morning, May 15, 2018, at his home in Pemberton.
Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM on Friday, May 18, 2018 at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in Alma City with Rev. Keith Bilitz officiating. Interment will be in the Alma City Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 - 7 PM on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Service ~ Arnoldt Chapel of Janesville and will continue on Friday for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorials are preferred to the Alma City Cemetery.
www.janesvillefuneral.com
John Henry Lienke was born on February 12, 1917, to August and Martha (Mann) Lienke in Freedom Township, Waseca County Minnesota. He was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his faith as a youth all at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Freedom Township. John attended Bunker Hill Country School and graduated from Waldorf High School with the class of 1935.
On September 1, 1938, John was united in marriage to Eileen Prail at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in Alma City. Together they started a family and were blessed with six children while living on a farm in Freedom Township. In 1945, they moved to a farm near Alma City and later settled on the Lienke home farm where he lived until he was 97. John and Eileen shared 66 year of marriage before Eileen passed away on November 3, 2004.
John farmed near Waldorf and Alma City all his life and worked for E.F. Johnson in Waseca as the night watchman for 25 years. He was known for his bib overall. In his later years he received his boilers license that he was very proud of.
John was a faithful member of St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in Alma City where he served as a trustee. He enjoyed splitting wood for his wood burning stove and making homemade clocks, stools and various gifts for his family. He also enjoyed gardening and always had time for refreshing A&W Root Beer. He will be remembered by his family for his generosity and willingness to help others. John cherished the time he spent with his family and friends.
John is survived by four sons: Gary (Eleanor) of Pemberton, David (Geraldine) of Janesville, Wesley (Sharyn) of River Falls, WI, and Paul (Jeanine) of Ashland, NE; two daughters: Ione Lienke of Andover and Theola (Daniel) Doss of Novi, MI; 15 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, wife; two sisters: Agnes Brandt and Laura Santo.