Edith Lemke

Edith (Edy) Bavender Lemke, age 89, passed away on February 12, 2025, proudly telling people in recent months that she would be 90 on her next birthday. Edy was born on April 19, 1935, in Union, Iowa. She graduated from LeMars Central High School and became an RN at Fairview Nursing School, associated with the University of Minnesota. 

Edy would hold a variety of nursing positions in Iowa, Indiana, and in Michigan, after moving to Grand Rapids in the 1960s. Her favorite stint was teaching student nurses. Her roles ranged from teaching pediatric nursing at Blodgett to being the supervisor of nurses for a private nursing company to teaching a smoking cessation program. In 1978, she appeared in a piece in

The Grand Rapids Press that highlighted professional women. Edy was also “on duty” for many years in her East Grand Rapids neighborhood, answering many phone calls and door knocks from neighbors in need of health consultation and first aid.

A talented artist, Edy was always painting and spent a summer month in Italy to hone her skills, while her husband Bob planned side trips and patiently endured the heat. She especially loved using pastels and depicting nature and her 3 grandchildren. In addition, Edy loved her many English Springer Spaniels and Cockers, especially when she and Bob spent time with them at their cottage, where Edy employed her immense sewing talent. She was a master at crafting touches to make things lovelier, especially gardens and holidays.

Edy’s membership at Mayflower Congregational Church provided her much meaningful fellowship. Her family also wishes to thank her caregivers on the fourth floor at Clark Retirement Home.

Edy was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, and her husband, Robert. She is survived by her son Mark (Susan) Scobell, her daughter Sarah; grandchildren Anne (Tony) Dellopsidale, Laura, and Rebecca; her daughter in spirit Ann Layton; and her sister in spirit Sandra Craft.

A memorial service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, in the chapel of Mayflower Congregational Church in East Grand Rapids, with a reception in the atrium to follow. 

Donations to Mackenzies Animal Sanctuary would greatly appreciated.

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