Richard J. Lemek

Richard J. Lemek, 90, of Davenport died Sunday, August 4, 2024. A visitation for Rich will be held at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August, 24th 2024 at St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Davenport. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport immediately following Mass. Your presence and your prayers for Rich will be your gift. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Richard Joseph Lemek was born on January 2, 1934 in Sioux City, Iowa a son of John J. and Dorothy E. (Cornwall) Lemek. “Rich” graduated from Sioux City Bishop Heelan High School in 1952 where he lettered in football, track, and boxing. Following graduation, he attended Wayne State University, in Wayne, Nebraska on an athletic scholarship for track and football. While in college, Rich enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean conflict as a Boiler Technician 3rd class (BTG3). Following his Navy career, Rich used his GI Bill benefits to attend the University of Iowa where he graduated with a BA in business. Rich married Maureen T. Bateman on June 9, 1956 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Sioux City, Iowa and from that day they remained inseparable, recently celebrating 68 years of marriage together.  She preceded him in death on June 16, 2024.

Following college, Rich worked for short time in retail management and then pursued a 35-year career with The Hartford as an underwriter and special agent where he traveled extensively throughout Iowa and Illinois and was consistently a top performing salesman. Rich enjoyed many hobbies and interests. He regularly attended his beloved Notre Dame football games with his cousin, Ray and his friends. Rich was an avid bowler and golfer and kept busy attending any of his eight children’s events. He was a fixture at the YMCA, running the Turkey Trot and Bix 7 mile road races every year. He was also active in the Catholic Church and with Knights of Columbus. Rich and his wife Maureen were also active in grass roots efforts for the Iowa Democratic party. 

Those left to cherish his memory are his eight children and their spouses: Stevan Lemek, East Moline, Illinois, Theresa Lemek, Davenport, Iowa, Christine (Paul) Clements, Cincinnati, Ohio, David (Maura Quinn) Lemek, Arlington, Virginia, Brian (Elizabeth) Lemek, Chevy Chase, Maryland, Donald Lemek, Arvada, Colorado, Annette (Beth Simpson) Lemek, Portland, Maine, and Tony (Carla Garcia-Rivas) Lemek, Bettendorf, Iowa; grandchildren: Catherine Lemek, Brian M. Lemek, Mary (Timothy) Connelly, Peter (Katy) Lemek, Jessica Clements, Michelle Clements, Wesley Clements, Andrew Lemek, Hanna Lemek, Richard A. Lemek, Kylie Lemek, J.B. Lemek, Greg Lemek, and Natalie Lemek; great-grandchildren: Jane, Timothy, Henry Connelly, and Harold Lemek, and Kennedy Clements; siblings: Jim (Lynn) Lemek, Fort Madison, Iowa, Joe (Mag) Lemek, Sioux City, Iowa, Barbara (Bill) Bohan, Sioux City, Iowa, and Paulette (David) Berger, Urbandale, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maureen T. Lemek, a daughter-in-law, Jessica (Donald) Lemek, his parents, John J. Lemek, Dorothy E. Lemek; and siblings: Bob (Jan) Lemek, John (Ellie) Lemek, and Mary (Mike) Weltz - may they rest in peace.