Phyllis Hulda (Hunt) Lehrte Obit

PHYLLIS HULDA (HUNT) LEHRKE, 85, a former area resident, passed away on June 29, 2021 in Grand Rapids, MI. She was born on Aug. 3, 1935 in Aitkin to Arthur and Sylvie Hunt. She was raised in Bay Lake Township and graduated as Salutatorian from the Crosby-Ironton High School, class of 1953. In 1956 she married the love of her life, Edward H. “Oney” Lehrke in Crosby.  Ed’s career with the railroad took them to Grand Rapids, MI, where they raised three children.  They returned to the family cabin on Mission Lake every summer.   Phyllis graduated from the Davenport Business College and Westbrook Beauty College.  She worked as a hairdresser, became an instructor, and eventually owned Westbrook, which she successfully operated for over 20 years.  Retirement in 1990 brought the Lehrkes back to Minnesota, where they built a home on Mission Lake.  Following her husband’s death in 2009, Phyllis divided her time between her daughters’ homes in Michigan and South Carolina. Phyllis had an adventurous soul and a loving spirt.  She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed multiple cruises and trips to 46 states. Between the ages of 75 and 80 she went on at least five cruises and accomplished many firsts, including para- sailing, snorkeling, ziplining, riding a motorcycle, flying in a helicopter and a three-seat Cessna, and walking the Mackinac Bridge. Preceding Phyllis in death were her parents Arthur and Sylvie Hunt; her husband Edward; and siblings Joyce Brager, Jackie Wilder-Gorman, and Alan Hunt. Phyllis is survived by her children, Karen (Bill) Winegar of Grand Rapids, MI, Craig (Lori) Lehrke of Moran, MI, and Colleen Lehrke of Grand Rapids, MI; three grandchildren, Bruce Winegar, Jordan (Steven) Jenks, and Evanne (Tyler) Brys; and three great-grandchildren; in-laws, Judy Hunt, Joyce Lehrke, Evette Lehrke, and DuWayne Lehrke; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and her children’s friends who called her “Mom”. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 4 at the Cascade United Methodist Church in Deerwood.  Visitation will be Monday, one hour prior to the service, at the church.  A luncheon will follow at noon.  Burial will be at the Center Township Cemetery near Mission Lake.   In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Edison Christain Nursing Home in Grand Rapids, MI or the Cascade United Methodist Church in Deerwoood.   Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.

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