Charles Fredrick “Chuck” Zemke, age 95, of Newell, Iowa, died Friday, June 13, 2008 at the Newell Good Samaritan Center.

Funeral Services for Mr. Zemke are scheduled for Tuesday June 17, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Newell. Burial will be in the Newell Cemetery. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Newell is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends may call on Monday, June 16, 2008 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. for visitation at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Newell, where the family will be present from 6:00 to 8:00. There will be a Masonic Service at 7:30 p.m.

Charles Fredrick Zemke, son of Frederick William and Martha (Porath) Zemke, was born on August 19, 1912 in Clark County near Osceola, Iowa. His family moved to Mullen Nebraska where he was baptized on September 4, 1913 at the Methodist Church. He attended school in Mullen until 1925 when they moved to Newell, Iowa. Here he attended Varina School until eighth grade.

Charles was confirmed at the Salem German Methodist Church west of Varina in 1928 by Reverend Emil Witter. He had been a life long member of the Methodist Churches in both Varina and Newell, where he held several offices.

On March 3, 1940 Charles was united in marriage to Ruth Anna Briggeman of Waco, Nebraska at the Varina Methodist Church. Two daughters were born to this union, Phyllis Ann and Sandra Naydene.

Chuck, as he was known, was a lifetime farmer in the Newell community, retiring from farming in 1975. He was a 4-H leader for the Newell Boosters 4-H Club for ten years. He enjoyed his fishing trips, especially the ones to Canada where he caught the “big ones.” He also enjoyed his flowers and gardening and growing “bigger and better” vegetables which he shared with others.

Chuck was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Newell, Scottish Rite, and Abu Bekr Shrine of Sioux City, Iowa. He enjoyed traveling with Ruth and friends, especially with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was extremely grateful to celebrate over 52 years of marriage. His family was always of great pride and a joy in his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth Anna Zemke in 1992, twin brothers Lester and Leslie, and sisters, Charlotte Witter and Bernice Smith.

Survivors include children: Phyllis and husband Eldon Kolbe of Sac City, Iowa and Sandra and her husband Eldon Dilworth of Adair, Illinois; grandchildren: David Kolbe, Sara Kolbe and great-granddaughter Natasha, all of Des Moines, Iowa; Cassandra Ballou, Jason Ballou and wife Erin Ballou and great-grandchildren: Wyatt, Mackenzie, Grace and Bryce of Newell Iowa; also several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.