Orlen Lemke King, age 87, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 30th, in Hot Springs after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. Born on April 6th, 1929, on a farm in Cross County to Rudolph Wilhelm and Nancy Mae Lemke, she was the youngest of ten children.

Orlen graduated from Hickory Ridge High School where she played on the girls' basketball team and was salutatorian of her class, only after gifting her Valedictorian honors to someone who desired to go to college. She subsequently graduated business school in Little Rock and went to work for a finance company there. During that time she met and fell in love with Harold whom she married on July 20th, 1952. A few years after their marriage, she became a full-time homemaker.

The family moved to the Ico Community in Grant County in 1966. There, she supported Harold in his career and her children as they pursued their education and activities. She served a term as president of the Sheridan PTA, was actively involved in 4H, and anything else her children desired to try. After her children graduated from Sheridan High School, and started families of her own, she found her true calling, being a Grandmother. She was a mother to anyone who walked through her door and will be forever remembered for her kindness, patience and fear of nothing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her son John Martin King and her husband Harold Lloyd King. She is survived by her children - Harold Lloyd King, Jr. (Susan) of Wake Forest, NC, James Robert King (Sandy) of North Little Rock, Sandy Kaye Burgess of Hot Springs; and Dianna Francis Newton (Robert) of Mabelvale; 11 grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren.

Following the passing of Harold in 2010, Orlen resided in the Brookfield Assisted Living Center and Lakewood Convalescent Home in Hot Springs. The family expresses their deep appreciation of the loving care she received at these facilities. The family also expresses its sincere appreciation of the fine medical care she received from Dr. Bill Cole and Arkansas Hospice Care in Hot Springs.

Family and friends will have a graveside celebration of Orlen's life at the Marvin Chapel Cemetery on Saturday, September 3rd at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 until 5:00 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Alzheimer's Association of America, Arkansas Hospice Care, or a charity of your choice.