Robert L. Ihrke

Robert Luverne Ihrke, Sr., 81, of 5024 175th Avenue NE, St. Charles died Thursday morning, May 24 at Whitewater Healthcare Center in St. Charles where he had resided the last 5 1/2 years due to complication from Parkinson's disease.Robert was born March 7, 1926 in Quincy Township of Olmsted County to Gustav and Clara (Schuchard) Ihrke. He was baptized at St. John's Evangelical Church in St. Charles on June 6, 1926. He was united in marriage to Ruby Torgerson on September 2, 1950 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro. Ruby preceded him in death on April 18, 2006. They farmed in the St. Charles area their entire married life. Robert was a carpenter for Rollingstone Lumber Company, Wolter Lumber and self employed as Robert Ihrke & Sons Construction. His interests included fishing, deer & pheasant hunting and farming all of which he greatly enjoyed doing with his sons and grandchildren. He was a lifetime member of the Whitewater Valley Sportsman's Club in Elba and also helped out as a leader for BoyScouts. He especially loved to dance and socialize with friends and family. In April of 1954 he and his wife were instrumental in the formation of Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles.Robert is survived by 5 sons, Jerry (Mitsuko) Ihrke of Moreno Valley, CA; Duane Ihrke of Wabasha, MN; Daniel (Sharon) Ihrke of St. Charles, MN; Robert, Jr. (Sandy) Ihrke of Dover, MN; and Carl Ihrke of Plainview, MN, 11 grandchildren, Judith, Junko, Sarah (Denton Holzer), Andrew, Nicole (Keith) Whitehead, Lance, Derek, Robert III, Samantha, Christopher, and Miranda. He is also survived by five brothers, George (Marge) Ihrke of Dover; Delmer (Mary Jane) Ihrke of St. Charles; Gene (Fern) Ihrke of Altura; Arley (Mary) of Houston and Gustav (Marilyn) Ihrke of St. Charles; three sisters, Leola Hinckley of Utica; Shirley (William) Loppnow of St. Charles and Lorry (Irvin) Hohmann of Dover. Brother-in-law Allen (Toby) Kieffer of Utica; sisters-in-law Yvonne (Archie) Zarling of Plainview and Francis Ihrke of Winona. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, four brothers, Beryl, Ellsworth, Melvin and Vernon; sister and brother-in-law Elaine & Richard Sanders; sister Joy Kieffer and brother-in-law Robert Hinckley.The Funeral Service for Robert will be held on Tuesday, May 29 at 11:00 AM at Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles with the Rev. Dr. Mark Wilms. Burial will follow at Little Valley Cemetery in rural Dover. Friends may call from 4-8 PM on Monday at the church and also one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.Hoff Funeral Home - St. Charles Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share a memory of Robert with the family and view his Video Tribute at www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com?id=9252