Gary Lee Zemke

Gary Lee Zemke, age 72, of Salisbury passed away Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the Novant Health Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House. Gary was born October 27, 1945 in Red Wing, MN a son of the late Mildred Oelkers Zemke and Theodore Conrad Zemke. Gary raised three sons in Red Wing with his first wife Jeanne Tomhave Bergner. On May 29, 1993 he was remarried to Holly Neathery, and helped raise two more boys. They lived in Durham, NC for 21 years, including a two-year relocation to Atlanta, GA, from which the family returned to Durham. After a move to Lincoln, NE in 2014, Gary and wife Holly returned to North Carolina, settling in Salisbury in June 2017. Gary received Bachelor’s Degrees in Marketing and Political Science from Winona State University. He enjoyed a career in Sales, Marketing and Management in the Kitchen Cabinet Industry. Gary achieved Lifetime Member status in the Elks Club, Red Wing Chapter and was passionate about the Minnesota Gophers. Confirmed in the Lutheran Church, Gary was most recently a member of St. John’s Lutheran in Salisbury. Preceding him in death in addition to his parents are his brother Orlin Zemke and wife Shirley; sister Berdell Eastlund and husband Cal; brothers-in-law Bob Anderson and Arlie Anderson. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Holly; sons Tony Zemke, Minnetonka, MN, Todd Zemke (Jen Matter), Red Wing, MN and Scott Zemke (Ayme), Inver Grove Heights, MN; step-sons Trey Gebhardt (Kristen), Austin, TX and Cory Gebhardt (Jennifer), Salisbury, NC; grandchildren Jasper, Graham and Keaton Zemke; step-grandchildren Katherine and Sadie Gebhardt; sisters Elaine Jorgensen, Red Wing, MN, Arline Anderson, Ellsworth, WI, Marian Tesdall (Ron), Red Wing, MN and Lorraine Anderson, Red Wing, MN; and his devoted dog and companion, Murphy. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 11:00 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church Chapel in Salisbury. A second Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2018, beginning at 11:30 am at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 320 West Avenue,Red Wing, MN. Visitation will begin one hour prior. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Novant Health Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House, 1229 Statesville Blvd., Salisbury, NC 28144. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Zemke family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Gary Lee Zemke

October 27, 1945 - September 16, 2018