Obituary of Erik Philip Lemke

Erik P. Lemke, 32, of Iowa City, died Monday, April 16, 2012, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. A time for family and friends to gather remembering and sharing Erik's life will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 21, 2012, at Gay & Ciha Funeral Service in Iowa City, with a time set aside at 6 p.m. to share some of Erik's poems and remembrances by family and friends. During the evening, food and drink from a few of Erik's favorite spots in Iowa City will welcome those in attendance; his family wishes to thank Caribou Coffee, The Wedge and Oasis Restaurant for their support during this special time. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to contribute to an educational fund to be established for Erik and Caitlin's children, Claire and Fintan, are more than welcome to- thank you. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Erik Philip Lemke was born July 17, 1979, in Seattle, WA delivered into this world by his mother, Judy Lewis, and his father, Philip Lemke in their home. Ending up here in Iowa, Erik graduated from West High School in 1999, the University of Iowa with an undergraduate degree in 2003, and finally the Iowa Writers' Workshop receiving his MFA in poetry in 2005. After he and Caitlin received their graduate degrees they moved to London, Ontario, where they lived for over two years. He has worked for A.C.T of Iowa City for a number of years, most recently as a Test Development Associate; he also loved his continued association with the Writers' Workshop, and his contribution as a consultant to Fallen Dominion Studios. Erik had many passions in his lifetime: literature, playing his guitar, listening and sharing his music playlists, and as an avid reader he enjoyed sharing thoughts through a book club he recently organized with friends. Those who knew Erik well also knew of his obsession with Fantasy Football, Soccer, and Hockey- Go Ball Maulers! He and Caitlin were also known to play a mean game of poker, and as a chess player since high school, and a connoisseur of fine beers and scotch Erik truly was a renaissance man. But nothing compared to the love of his wife and two children; being a father to Claire and Fintan brought life to new highs for Erik, and he would be the first to share them with you. His family includes his wife, Caitlin; their two children, Claire and Fintan; his father, Philip Lemke; mother, Judy Lewis; brothers, Zeke and Levi Roberts; Caitlin's parents, David and Becky Bohlken; brother and sister-in-law, Matt and Megan Bohlken and their children, Emilia and Elivia; and his honorary sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Dennis Nachtman and their children, Madeline, Abigail and Zachary. Additionally, Erik had an extrememly close extended family of many aunts, uncles and cousins.