Alfred Lehmkuhl

Alfred "Alf" Lehmkuhl, age 88, of Marshall, passed on at his home on December 19, 2014. Alf was born on November 5, 1926 in Bochum, Germany to Alfred E. and Ida (Heiden) Lehmkuhl. In May of 1927 the family immigrated to Bloomington, Illinois, where Alf was raised. He attended Bloomington schools, and in Bloomington High School he lettered in football and basketball prior to his graduation in 1944. In February of 1945, as part of the Greatest Generation he was inducted into the U.S.Army. He served as a tank instructor at the Replacement Training Center in Fort Knox, Kentucky until his Honorable Discharge in October of 1946 after earning the rank of Sergeant. That year he returned home to Bloomington where he started his career with State Farm Insurance Company. In January of 1950 Alf moved to Marshall to help open the Michigan Regional Office for State Farm Insurance. Alf was an integral part of that group and worked hard through the years as the office grew in size and responsibility. He was a member and past board member and President of Central Michigan Underwriters Association. He retired in January of 1988 as the Auto Operations Superintendant. After moving to Marshall he met and started dating A. Jean Fiske. The couple fell in love, were engaged and were married on December 9, 1950. They built their home where they raised their family in the State Farm neighborhood on East Drive in 1953, and lived there the rest of their lives. Jean preceded Alf in death on July 10, 2008. He loved all sports, hunting and fishing. He loved traveling to Alaska where he hunted Caribou and Moose. In Michigan's Upper Peninsula he also hunted bear. Alf loved his land locally where he hunted with his son and friends for deer, turkey, geese and rabbits. Fishing trips with his buddies were always favorite times. Alf was a member of Marshall Country Club for many years where he loved golfing. He bowled in Marshall Lanes Leagues. A room in the house holds many golfing, bowling, and wild game trophies collected over his lifetime. He was a member of the American Legion, the NRA. the U.S.G.A., Wilder Creek Conservation Club, North American Hunting Club, Michigan United Conversation Club, and Ducks Unlimited. Alf was a very social man, who enjoyed meeting with friends at Wigent's Service Station for coffee, playing cards and attending parties. In his later years when physically he couldn't be as active he enjoyed watching sports. Alf is survived by his children, Albert E. Lehmkuhl and Cora L. Keiper both of Marshall, granddaughter Christa L. (David) Morrison of Parker, CO, 1 step- great-granddaughter, 3 step-great-grandsons, and 2 great-great-step-granddaughters, his sister's-in-law, Marlene Rapacz and Erma M. Cox, and nephew Randall Rapacz. Besides his wife he was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers-in-law Stanley Rapacz and Theodore Cox. Alf's final days were hard physically for him, and besides being blessed with his son and daughter's care, his caregivers Dorene, Regina, Rachel and Rodna became like family to Alf, Al and Cora, and Al and Cora are forever grateful to them for the comfort they gave their father by enabling him to stay home. Friends may call at Craig K. Kempf Family Funeral Homes, Marshall Chapel on Monday, December 22, from 3PM-6PM where family will be present to greet friends and share memories. A service at the graveside at Oakridge for the family will be held Wednesday morning. The family suggests memorials to either Lifespan Hospice, The Haven, or The Salvation Army. Assistance with memorials available at Kempf's. To leave the family a message and sign the on line guest register please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com.