Earl Kolke, age 86, of Cambridge passed away at his home on January 12, 2017. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 20th at our Cambridge location. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service.
Earl Roland Kolke was born April 2, 1930 in Moorhead, Minnesota to Emanuel T. Kolke and Julia (Brandvold) Kolke. He graduated from Moorhead High School in 1948. After graduation, he attended Concordia College in Moorhead Minnesota with his twin brother Erling Kolke, graduating in 1952. Earl served with the Army in Korea in the United Nations Armistice Commission from 1952 to 1954. After Korea Earl briefly toured Europe. Upon returning to the U.S. he earned a Master’s Degree from the University of South Dakota. Earl began his teaching career at Mid-Pacific Institute in Hawaii. His next teaching stop was Park Rapids, Minnesota, where he met and married Renee Sunde. They were married December 27, 1958 at First Baptist Church in Park Rapids, Minnesota. In 1959 Earl and Renee moved to the Minneapolis area where Earl accepted a teaching position in the Richfield school system. Earl taught Social Studies in the Richfield School District for 32 years, retiring in 1991.
Earl and Renee were blessed with two sons, Dana and Darren. Earl and Renee were very fortunate to travel throughout their life together. At first as a family and then as a couple including their dream trip to Alaska. Earl was an avid outdoorsman. Spending most falls hunting in Park Rapids and regular hunting trips to Wyoming. Earl loved to spend time in Northern Minnesota where he built two log homes. He attended New Beginnings Church in Cambridge and enjoyed reading and watching ALL Minnesota sports.
Earl passed away January 12, 2017 at his home in Cambridge. He was preceded in death by his wife, Renee, his parents, his sister, Harriet, and his twin brother, Erling Kolke. He is survived by his children Dana (Kelly); Darren (Ann), and his beloved grandchildren, Jacob Kolke, Jenna Kolke, Sadie (James) Bofferding, Jessica (Alex) Zellman, Holly Kolke, and Levi Kolke. And his great grandson, Hunter Robinson.
Kathie Bunnell says
I am so sorry to hear Earl passed away. Earl and Renee were really good to me when I was living in Park Rapids. I enjoyed so much working for them. I will keep all of you in my prayers.
Kathie
L&L Brandvold says
We are so sorry to hear of Earl’s passing. We enjoyed many good times with Earl and Renee and have many pleasant memories of our times together. He lived his life to the fullest and I’m sure you as a family will carry on what Earl began.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers,
Leslie and Lois Brandvold