Errol ‘Lem’ Lemburg
Errol "Lem" Lemburg, our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully Saturday morning, Sept. 18, 2021 surrounded by his wife Nelda and family in the comfort of his home. He was a force in our lives that we cannot replace.
He was born May 8, 1938 and as a boy, he survived Juvenile Poliomyelitis (Polio). Later in his life he courageously fought and won five bouts with cancer, aortic heart valve surgery, a broken hip and COVID-19. All of these took a costly toll on his body.
Known to most as Lem, he was a man who lived life to the fullest and on his terms. He cherished family and couldn’t get enough of his seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. They lit up his life and warmed his heart, you could see the happiness they provided him every time they were around.
Lem loved the outdoors as well as traveling to new places. He treasured fishing with Nelda and friends. He would fish anywhere, but the Pacific Ocean was special and called to him. He enjoyed bird hunting in the cornfields of Nebraska and North and South Dakota farms with longtime friends. He tried to go every year if even just to visit. When the birds were scarce, they would smoke a cigar and drink a cold beer.
Lem was quite the entrepreneur. He and Nelda owned a number of businesses over the years. It began with KIX, a classic drive-in hamburger joint on East Trent Avenue in Spokane. They sold KIX to buy “The Dream,” Nordman Store and Bar, population 5, our little family at Priest Lake, Idaho. Together they bought Millers’ One Stop Grocery in Elk, Washington. If you worked for him, he paid you well, but you worked for it and loved him for the opportunity.
Lem’s tall 6’3” frame, square jaw and strong build made him look a lot scarier than he really was. He played to that strength, and it came in handy as a bar owner!
Lem and Nelda retired early in life and enjoyed many years doing all those things they dreamed about, and if it involved family, all the better. They lived on a farm in Pend Oreille County and for a few years dabbled with some livestock, then moved to “town,” Newport in recent years.
He was very proud to be a 32nd degree Mason and a lodge brother for 50 years in more than one local lodge.
Lem was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, to Bertha and Howard Lemburg. He loved his hometown of Dannebrog and kept in touch with many of his high school chums and the people from his youth. Lem and Nelda made great friends everywhere they traveled. They have so many amazing friends here at home in Newport and we want to tell you how much that friendship meant to Lem and to our family. Thank you for loving him.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, the love of his life, Nelda; daughters, Dana Thompson (Sue), Beth Slusser (Bill) and Karen Cunningham (Jeff); grandchildren, Jana (Matt), Jessica, Andria (Calvin), Kaitlyn (Taylor), Rawley (Steffie), Kyle (Jenae) and Elise; and great-grandchildren, Lucy, Barbara, Ridge and Lake.
The family has decided against a public service at this time due to family health concerns and COVID-19. To honor Lem’s life, the family suggests a donation to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. He would’ve liked that. His family would like to thank you all for your love and support at this very difficult time. It means a great deal to all of us.
Sherman-Campbell Funeral & Cremation Services in Newport is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at shermancampbell.com.