By Chris Spangler
The second annual Lemke Legacy 5k run/walk will take place Saturday, Aug. 20, along the Glacial River Trail in Fort Atkinson.
Hosted by sisters Hannah Filipiak of Beloit and Rose Filipiak of Oshkosh, the public event is slated for 10 a.m.
It is being held in memory of Jim and Nedra Lemke of Fort Atkinson, who were fatally wounded on June 16, 2020, outside of the town of Sumner home of her late father.
The Lemkes had gone to the farm to mow the lawn and were ambushed in the driveway. Nedra’s brother, Kevin Anderson, has been charged in connection with the murders and remains at large.
The run/walk will be an out-and-back trek on the Glacial River Trail, starting and finishing at the Lions shelter in Jones Park. Nedra’s famous cinnamon rolls will be part of post-race goodies.
The first- and second- place finishers among the males and females will receive Frostie Freeze coupons.
Persons may register at: https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/FortAtkinson/LemkeLegacy5k.
Cost is $15 per person. If participants are in a group/family of four or more people, they may contact Filipiak at lemkelegacy5k@gmail.com about getting a discount.
Early registrants were reserved T-shirts. However, extras will be available Saturday at the registration table on a first-come-first-served basis.
Parking is available in the neighborhood, as well as in the Nasco parking lot closest to the Fireside Dinner Theatre.
There are no restrooms on site.
Event sponsors are Power Gate Opener Systems and Studio 8 Full-Service Salon. Proceeds from the race will be matched by Power Gate Opener Systems, which is owned by Joseph Lemke, one of Jim and Nedra’s sons.
“Last year, we were blown away by the number of people who participated,” the Filipiaks said, reporting 100 runners. “We raised more than $1,000 and the proceeds were matched by Power Gate Operating Systems.”
Funds go to the youth group at Faith Community Church to provide scholarships for students’ participation in youth group trips and retreats.
Persons who do not wish to participate in the run/walk, but who still wish to give a donation, may do so at https://gofund.me/a9b87404.
“Jim and Nedra Lemke left a legacy of loving God and loving people,” the Filipiaks said. “For many years, they were youth leaders at Faith Community Church, impacting the lives of many youth, families, and other youth leaders. Jim and Nedra were also avid runners.
“When Jim and Nedra were killed in June 2020, we decided this event would be a fitting way to remember them and pass on part of their legacy,” they added.
The Filipiaks grew up attending Faith Community Church and were among the Lemkes’ youth group members. The Lemkes also were adult leaders for a Lithuania mission trip in which Hannah participated
In addition, Nedra was a mentor to Hannah when she was in college.
The Filipiaks said the Lemkes were wonderful role models.
“They were solidly grounded in the word of God and lived what they believed,” Hannah recalled. “They loved people and invested in people’s lives, particularly to the middle school youth group kids. Jim taught us, in word and deed, both what it meant to revere God and to be goofy. Nedra was a gifted artist, a loving and tender mom figure …”
In addition, the Lemkes were runners, with Jim running ultra-marathons. In fact, in 2016, he was a finisher in the Gnarly Bandit Ultra Series, which consisted of four 100-mile and one 100k races in one season in Wisconsin.
Jim and Nedra Lemke
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