Elaine Albina Rehmke, aged 97, formerly of West Liberty, died peacefully on May 22, 2024 at Wildwood Senior Living in Joplin, Mo.
Funeral service for Elaine will be 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, West Liberty with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Stanwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that all memorials be forwarded to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. Cards and memorials can be mailed to Henderson-Barker Funeral Home, 205 East Third Street, West Liberty, IA 52776. Online condolences may be shared at www.hendersonbarkerfuneralhome.com.
Elaine, born to Fred and Albina Dreyer on Dec. 24, 1926, grew up in rural Letcher County, South Dakota. On Aug. 9, 1947, she married Robert T. Rehmke, and together they farmed near Oxford Junction, Iowa before eventually settling in West Liberty. Robert served as the President of West Liberty Bank, and Elaine worked alongside him in the bank. They retired in 1984 and cherished their winters at their lake home in Auburndale, Florida, and summers on their farm in West Liberty, IA. Elaine had a love for travel. She and Robert enjoyed many RV adventures across the United States as well as joining many tour groups for international travel. Elaine was a dedicated member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 79 years and served as a 4-H leader for 10 years in Clayton County. She was also a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Elaine cherished her family and enjoyed the joy, stories, and adventures they brought to her life. Her great-grandson, Ashton Larson, credits her for instilling in him a love for baseball; he watched his first baseball game while sitting on her lap. Ashton is currently a starter for the Louisiana State University Baseball Team which is why she often wore purple this past year. She attributed her family's track successes to her side of the family, her brother Delbert Dreyer, ran hurdles for Iowa State. Elaine’s granddaughter ran hurdles at the University of Kansas and her great-grandson who recently won his high school conference championship in hurdlers. These type of accomplishments and so many more made Elaine very proud and she enjoyed sharing these stories in her community.
Elaine is survived by her son Fred (Diane) Rehmke of Lewisville, Texas, and daughter Linda Nielsen of Neosho, Missouri. She leaves behind 5 granddaughters, 9 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Elaine was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Rehmke, her parents Fred and Albina Dreyer, her sister Mildred Schneider, LaVonne Scott, her brother Delbert Dreyer, and a granddaughter.