Obituaries
Obituary for Josephine "Dodie" Lemcke
Josephine ‘Dodie’ Lemcke, 83, of Santa Barbara, CA went to be with her Lord peacefully at Serenity House with family by her side on the morning of Wednesday, November 9, 2022 after suffering an unexpected brain hemorrhage on November 4th.
Dodie was born in Cleveland, OH to Ralph and Emily Lemcke on March 2, 1939. Her family moved to Indianapolis, IN in 1942. She graduated from Broad Ripple High School, Indianapolis in 1956 and attended Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL. She lived many years in Cincinnati, OH before moving to Santa Fe, NM and then to Santa Barbara.
Dodie had a deep and abiding faith in Jesus and was an active member and leader in many church communities. Most recently she attended Reality Santa Barbara and also attended Prayer Room at Veronica Springs Church. In her church life she was a devoted prayer partner, provided lay counseling and participated in worship and Bible studies. She served as an active volunteer all her life. She was especially gifted serving at the bedside of hospice patients; her gentle, calming presence brought encouragement, hope and a sense of peace to many friends and family.
She was an accomplished and life-long artist and leaves behind an extensive collection of drawings and paintings.
Dodie was a lover of God’s creation and spent her life creating beauty through gardening, knitting and her art. She loved the beauty of a flower, the color of the sky, the awe inspiring sunsets and walks on the beach. She spent her last years as an active, fun-loving mother, grandmother and faithful friend to many. Her teenage grand-daughters often raided her closet for the latest fashions! She lived a life of prayer, simplicity, beauty and quiet contemplation. She will be remembered for being welcoming to others and loving God who held her hand through life here on earth.
Dodie is survived by: her children, Daniel Newell of Santa Fe, Melinda Newell of Cincinnati and Elisabeth (Mike) Gonella, grandchildren Josephine, Katharine and Emilia of Santa Barbara; her siblings Alexandra ‘Zan’ Ransburg of Peoria, IL and Ralph ‘Kib’ Lemcke of Tucson, AZ as well as many loving extended family members and close friends.
Dodie’s memorial service and celebration of life was held on November 15, 2022 at Veronica Springs Church. Burial of ashes service is forthcoming.
Dodie, Mom, ‘Grammy’ will be profoundly missed.
We request any donations in honor of Dodie’s memory please be made to Hospice of Santa Barbara (www.hospiceofsb.org/).
God is love (1 John 4:7-16) The Lord is my Shepherd (Psalm 23)
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.
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