Obituary of Barbara L. Zemke

Barbara Louise Zemke was born on January 30, 1942 in Sciotoville, OH to Joseph and Lillie Hale. She grew up in Franklin Furnace, OH and attended Green Township School for grades 3-12. She graduated from Interstate Business College, Portsmouth, OH in 1962 and later attended Anoka-Ramsey Community College obtaining an AS in Business Management in 2002. Barb met her husband through being a Pen-Pal with James A. Zemke while he was stationed in Ft Riley, KS. After six months of letter writing, he came to meet her while on leave and met her family. Later Barb met his family in MN. Barb’s first letter was on September 28, 1965 and they were married on September 24, 1966 at Sciotoville Church of Christ in Sciotoville, OH. The couple moved to Cambridge where they raised their family. Barb worked many jobs in the Cambridge area. While not working, she enjoyed drawing, oil painting, Elvis and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her children Donna Zemke, Susan (Scott) Minar, Gena Zemke-Hermanson, James C. (Kerry) Zemke, Kari (Matthew) Matson; grandchildren Brandon Minar, Brittany (Caleb) Haynes, Kenneth and Christina Hermanson, Joseph Zemke, Timothy and David Zemke, Rebecca, Justin and Julia Matson; brothers Thomas Hale and David (Kay) Hale; sister-in-law Stephanie Hale and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband James; parents; brother Joseph Hale and special friend Willis Johnson. Memorials Preferred.