Willmer Erwin Lehrke, age 91 of Wuori Township passed away peacefully Sunday, July 5, 2015 in the care of the Essentia East Range Hospice Team, and his wife by his side. He was born January 26, 1924 in Gibbon, MN the son of Frederick William and Amelia (Krueger) Lehrke, and was a United States Army Veteran of WWII serving in the European Theatre and receiving the Bronze Star and a Good Conduct Medal. He married Avice Messner on March 31, 1946 in Gibbon, MN and she preceded him in death in 1996. Willmer grew up in Gibbon, MN moved to Twin Falls ID, farmed south of Gaylord, MN, lived in New Auburn, Cokato, and Minneapolis prior to moving to Lake Leander in 1987 and finally moving to Wuori Township about 12 years ago. He was employed as a farmer, worked in the plumbing wholesale business, was an auto mechanic, a Minneapolis Moline tractor mechanic, and was a carpenter, a power transmission line tower erector, and a local television advertising personality. Willmer was a former member of the Pike Lutheran Church and a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, the Laurentian Seniors, and the Yoki Bergman American Legion Post #220 of Mountain Iron. Willmer was a man of faith, who walked daily with the Lord. He was active in his church and with Via de Christo "Cursillo". He met Sylvia Jauhola in church and they were married on June 5, 1999. Willmer loved to laugh, was a people person, and enjoyed time spent with family and friends.
Willmer is survived by his wife: Sylvia; children: Richard G. (Judy) Lehrke of Aurora, CO, Frederick William (Sarah) Lehrke III of Sand Lake; his "second set of children": Bonnie DuFresne of Makinen, Peter E. Jauhola of Tower, Jeffrey Jauhola of Cook, Susan (Michael) Pollack of Eden Prairie, Gregory Jauhola of Cook, and Russell (Karla) Jauhola of Roseville; grandchildren: Brock, Kalley, Peder, Maren, grandchildren through marriage: Roy, Bridgette, Wendy, Riley, Sarah, and Mitchell; great-grandchildren: Austin, Spencer, Hunter, Kylie, Justin, Jakob, Kadon, Locke, great-grandchildren through marriage: Liam, and Amelia; great-great grandchildren: Olivia and Aubriella; sister: Renata Dahl; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife: Avice; siblings: Cordula, Sigmund, and Marina; son through marriage: Adam Jauhola; and granddaughter: Cynthia.
Visitation will be held Friday, July 10, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel in Virginia. Visitation will continue Saturday, July 11, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service in the Funeral Home. Pastor Donald Norr will officiate. Interment will follow in the East Pike Cemetery, with Military Honors accorded by the Yoki-Bergman American Legion Post Honor Guard.
Family Services provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Viewing 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ,Friday, July 10, 2015
Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
516 South First Street Virginia, MN 55792
Viewing 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. ,Saturday, July 11, 2015
Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
516 South First Street Virginia, MN 55792
Funeral Service 11:00 a.m. ,Saturday, July 11, 2015
Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
516 South First Street Virginia, MN 55792
Interment 12:20 p.m. ,Saturday, July 11, 2015
East Pike Cemetery
7404 Pike Road Embarrass, MN, Saint Louis 55732
Military Honors Accorded by the Yoki-Bergman American Legion Post # 220 Honor Guard Memorial Luncheon Wuori Township Hall
7449 Werner Road Virginia, MN, Saint Louis 55792