Micheal Semke

Micheal Gene Semke, 67, passed away on Oct. 6.

He was born on Feb. 7, 1953, in Hastings, Neb., the son of Keith and Delores Semke. Mike moved to Jefferson early in childhood and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1971. He attended Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny.

Mike began his career at Culver Engineering in Jefferson, moved to Norman, Okla., and eventually returned to Carroll to establish his own surveying business, Semke & Associates. He also worked with Beck Engineering Inc. in Spirit Lake for many years.

He enjoyed mentoring other surveyors. He was lucky to have found a career that he enjoyed so much.

In 1993, Mike married Peg Semke and her two children, Erin Daniel and Dustin Farnsworth. Together, and with the help of family and friends, they built their dream home, a timber frame next to a large pond, outside of Jefferson.

Mike was so very proud of his family and enjoyed sharing their beautiful property with family, friends and their dogs.

Mike was a member, trustee, and to many people’s surprise, in the choir of Central Christian Church. As an avid outdoorsman, Mike enjoyed fishing, hunting and golfing at Lakeside Golf Course. He dedicated many hours to help at Lakeside. 

He had an enormous sense of humor, was constantly joking around, and was very quick with the kind of grin that’s not appropriate to name in an obituary.

Services were held Oct. 9 at Central Christian Church in Jefferson, with words of comfort by the Rev. J. Alexander, and eulogy by Jim Wyckoff.

Congregational hymns included “The Old Rugged Cross” and “How Great Thou Art” (Rita Rasmussen, accompanist).

Casket bearers were Ted Semke, Tom Semke, Dustin Farnsworth, Nick Daniel, Sam Bassett, David Bassett, Jerry Wagaman and Jay Staggs.

Honorary bearers were Dick Youngblood, Ed Anderson, Wayne Lautner, Steve Bosshart and Brad Bendickson.

Interment was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Micheal will be deeply missed by his wife, Peg; children: Erin (Nick) Daniel, of Jefferson; and Dustin (Jennifer) Farnsworth, of Adair; six grandchildren: Lucas, Ethan, Riley, Levi, Everly, Jovi, and one to arrive in November; siblings: Terry Semke, of Jefferson; Connie Semke, of Jefferson; half-brother Scott (Heather) Semke, of Des Moines; step-siblings: Jim (Laurie) Wyckoff, of Panora; Tom Wyckoff, of Waterloo; Suzanne Semke, of Templeton; Cherin (Bob) Lee, of Cedar Falls; Cathy Nelson, of Iowa City; Tom (Ilene) Young, of Olathe, Kan.; and Barb (Doug) Hobart, of Grimes; and many nieces and nephews.

Micheal was preceded in death by his parents; stepdad Bud Young; brother Denny Semke; and sister-in-law Kathy Semke.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to P.A.W.S.  

Services were arranged by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson.

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Jefferson Bee & Herald
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Jefferson, IA 50129

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