Caryl A. Lemke

Caryl A. Lemke, age 86, passed away on Friday, August 18, 2023 at JourneyCare Hospice in Barrington.

Caryl is survived by her beloved husband, Bud Lemke; children, Mark (Patti Jo) Lemke, Pamela (Grant) Fuchs, Heather Trost, and Scott (Lauren) Lemke; grandchildren, Karin Lemke, Josslyn McKenna, Kate (Timothy) Reeves, Grant (McKenzie) Fuchs, Kimberly Lemke, Royce (Maura) Fuchs, Bryce Pitcairn, Trey Fuchs, Trent Pitcairn, Taylin Lemke, and Kai Lemke; great-grandchildren, Kylee Herman and Gracey Ann Szesny; her sister-in-laws Lynette Steward, Penelope Bartels, Barbara Withycombe, and brother-in-law Alan “Lucky” Lemke and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Ethel (Miller) Steward and her brother Wesley Steward.

Caryl met the love of her life Bud when they were both attending Barrington High School and were married for 65 years. As Bud went off to serve his country in the Navy, Caryl was proud to be a military wife. Caryl and Bud carried a passion for their patriotism throughout their lives together. She was always extremely involved with helping her community, whether it was acting as the PTO President, coordinating the Prospect Heights Bicentennial Celebration, giving time to the Onward Neighborhood House, or being involved with the Support Our Troops Foundation. When she wasn’t busy with any of those activities, she and Bud taught safety boating classes through the Skokie Valley Power Squadron. Caryl was also a Past Commander of the Skokie Valley Power Squadron. In her free time, she enjoyed sewing, boating, camping, snowmobiling and hosting holiday celebrations and entertaining on their boat. Above all else though, she loved her family deeply and was extremely proud of all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will be missed by all that knew her.

Services for Caryl will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023 at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Road, with a visitation from 9am until the time of the funeral service at 10:30am. Caryl will be laid to rest at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or Homes For Our Troops (give.ourhfotusa.org).