Harlan Lemke was born March 27, 1930 in Glyndon, MN to Arthur and Sadie Lemke. He attended school in Sabin and Moorhead. He met Norma Ochsner in 1950 and they later married.

Harlan was employed with FM Ready Mix until his retirement in 1994. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.

Harlan died Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. He is survived by his wife, Norma; son, Timothy (Tami) Lemke, Morrison, CO; daughter, Julie (Gerald) Ball, Round Rock, TX; 6 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers, Les (Irene), Naples, FL; Loren, Ashfork, AZ; and Dennis (Marlene), Claire, MI; sister, LaDonna Pederson, Moorhead, MN; sisters-in-law, Dorothy and Lydia Lemke.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Michael; brother, Orville; and sister, Violet Olson.