Walter was born on May 1, 1926, in Grinnell, Iowa to Herman and Edith McMeekin Lemke. He was raised in the Ewart area, southeast of Grinnell and attended rural school. In 1943, he entered the United States Army and served in the European Theatre until 1945. On December 27, 1945, he was married to Joyce Broyles in Montezuma and to this union was born seven children, Connie, Betty, Richard, Bruce, Ruth, Roberta and Edie. The couple farmed west of Montezuma and later lived in Malcom. He worked as a press operator for the Donaldson Company for over 35 years. Following a divorce he was married to Mae Playle on December 30, 1975 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. The couple lived in New Sharon and later near Montezuma. Following the death of his wife he resided in Malcom and at Brookside South in Grinnell. Walter was a member of the Malcom Volunteer Fire Department and the Malcom American Legion. He enjoyed playing cards, watching baseball, repairing automobiles and spending time with his family. Survivors include his children, Connie Lemke of Marshalltown, Betty Bradley of Hedrick, Richard Lemke of Grinnell, Bruce Lemke of Oskaloosa, Ruth Laverman of Lynnville, Roberta Playle of New Sharon, and Edie Hefley of Newton; five step children, Rodney Playle, Gary Playle, and Chuck Playle, all of New Sharon; Roxanne Playle of Marshalltown and Linda Ozbun of State Center; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; two great great grandsons; one sister, Hazel Freeborn of Grinnell; and three brothers, Ralph Lemke of Grinnell, Marvin Lemke of Fort Leonardwood, Missouri and Calvin Lemke of Winchester, West Virginia. He was preceded in death by both of his spouses; his parents; one step daughter, Lisa Playle; two grandchildren; one great granddaughter, one sister, Dorothy Haines; four brothers, Don, Leonard, Earl and Jim Lemke; and his long-time friend, Jack Wakely. The family requests that memorials in Walter's name be directed to the Malcom Fire Department.