Timothy Lemke was born to George and Margaret Lemke and was one of six children. He graduated from Des Moines Tech High School in 1972 where he discovered his talent for fixing cars. He married his high school sweetheart, Linda Wittenbaugh, in 1974 and had 3 beautiful children, Heather, Brandon, and Tyler who he loved dearly. He was so proud of the amazing adults they grew up to be. He always made sure his kids knew how to change a tire, change the oil, and tune up their cars among many other important life tasks. Tim was a loving husband, father, son and brother and worked hard to be sure his family had everything they needed. He continued his love to fix cars working at Charles Gabus Ford, Midstates Ford, American Freight on Terex earth moving equipment and 30 years at Mid American Energy where he became a Lineman Foreman. He spent many hours in adverse weather, in ice storms and the floods of '93, working day and night to get lost power restored. Many looked at him and his Mid American brothers as heroes for the dangerous and hard work they did.

Tim loved spending time with family, the best being grandpa to his 4 precious grandchildren Jonas, Annabella, Amelia, and Cameron. He loved boating and skiing -showing off for the kids and had a love for racing and vintage cars. He enjoyed watching Nascar races with his son Brandon and never missed a race out at the Iowa Speedway with his childhood best friend, Doug, and his son, Brandon. At one time his son got a CT6 twin turbo Cadillac and took his dad to race at the Iowa Speedway!

One of Tim's favorite trips was going with a group of friends to Florida to watch Gainesville drag races stopping along the way at different racing venues. That trip included visits to Billoxi, Mississippi, New Orleans and Memphis to tour Graceland.

Friends and family often brought their cars to Tim for repair because they trusted his expertise with fixing vehicles. His friends would call him McGuyver because he could fix anything from cars to golf carts, bikes to toys. He built a car from a "car kit" starting with the frame and engine up to the beautiful finished car called a Gazelle. Tim also learned the art of construction while working for his father in law building houses for Wittenbaugh Construction and was proud that he had a part in framing and laying tile in his own home. He built his 2 double garages, added a beautiful screened in porch, a playhouse and playset that was popular with the neighborhood kids. He was so proud that his son, Tyler, made a career in the building trade and is as meticulous as his grandpa and dad about his craft. He adored his daughter, Heather, and very often knowing how her daddy loved fast, vintage, restored cars took him to many local car shows.

Tim was always a quiet but a proud and happy man as long as he was surrounded by his family, friends and his Coors Light. He enjoyed sitting on the patio listening to music watching storms come in and taking in all the beauty of our yard. Spending time with those he loved and admiring all the things he had built to enhance his property.

His brother, Joe, was always there for him at the most difficult time of Tim's life right up to comforting his brother at the very end.

He is predeceased by his parents, sister Donna Matton and son Brandon Lemke. He is survived by his loving wife Linda, brother William "Skip" Alcorn (Donna), sister Stephanie Lemke Teske (Steve), brothers Robert Lemke (Lucy), and Joseph Lemke (Margueritte).

The family is planning a Celebration of life for Tim and son, Brandon, in the family's back yard where they both loved spending time together. There will be live music and food to enjoy with everyone who loved them. The date is Sunday, May 21, 2:30 p.m.