Herbert K. Lohrke

Herbert Lohrke of St. Joseph, Michigan passed away peacefully on Monday, December 15th, at the age of 91, after spending his last days being cared for by the supportive team at Hanson Hospice Center and spending time with his two loving children.

Herbert’s life was characterized by resilience, good health, hard work, and devotion to his family and community. He was born in a small farm town in East Germany on March 8, 1934, which his family fled during WWII, moving between territories governed by The Soviet Union and Great Britain before migrating to the United States in 1951. He loved to share this history with his grandchildren, regularly telling them about the violence, fear, and hunger his family encountered, and his mother’s bravery in the face of it. He laced these stories with humor: the Russian soldiers fed him and his young siblings shots of vodka and taught them their first curse words.

In 1961, he married Hella Blum, who had gone on her own journey through eastern Germany as an orphan before settling in western Michigan. They shared a cultural history, a language, a once-in-a-lifetime love, and a sense that the world is what you make it. He used his training as a cabinet maker to develop a successful career as a builder, business owner, and handyman, while she designed and sewed curtains. During their 62 years of marriage, he helped to found the Kickers’ Club and played competitive soccer until he was in his 40s. Together, he and Hella developed and supported the club’s beloved traditions such as Polka nights and Christmas parties, while building their own family.

Herbert was preceded in death by his parents Karl and Elsa and his siblings Werner, Edith, Horst, and Dieter; his son-in-law Randy Collier; and his wife Hella, whom he cared for with tenderness in her final years. He is survived by his children, Juergen Lohrke and Romy Collier; his grandchildren, Kristin Collier, Kelsey Collier, Nichole Lohrke, Amy Lohrke, and Josh Lohrke; his great-grand children, Frances and Oscar Alberti; and his final rescue dog, a sweet German Shepherd mutt named Roxy.

Hella and Herbert were deeply committed to raising pets, and in the last 20 years of their lives, they adopted rescue dogs, creating a caring and safe second life for them. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make donations to the Humane Society.

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