Kieth Duane Luedke, 89 reached his journey’s end Oct. 3, 2014. He was born Sept. 6, 1925, near Selkirk to Charles and Estella Niswonger Luedke.
He was a World War II veteran, drafted Dec. 26, 1943, in his junior year of high school. He served as a light artillery Instructor at Fort Hood, Texas. Kieth was discharged May 1946, and returned to finish high school, graduating in May 1947.
Kieth married Delores Lay Aug. 22, 1948. Together, they raised four boys. He was a brick and stone mason, and worked throughout the United States from Montana to Texas. One of his more memorable jobs was working in New Mexico, on the White Sands Missile Base.
Kieth was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Robert and wife Ruth Finley Luedke, Leslie and wife Waunita Marple Luedke; and one sister, Clara and husband Floyd Paul; brothers-in-law, John D. Finley and Jeff Veteto; and sisters-in-law, Bonna Lea Luedke and Helen Luedke.
His is survived by his wife of 66 years, Delores; sons, Darryl and wife Mary and Dwight, Houston, David and wife Pam, Atwood, and Don and wife Bota, Almaty, Kazakhstan; six cherished grandchildren, Amber Luedke and David Beard, Jill Luedke and Blake Bradford, Kara and Eric Gustafson, Seann and Melanie Luedke, Shara Luedke and Konnor Luedke; two great-grandchildren, Mitchell Arpin and Carla Gustafson; one sister, Doris Finley, Atwood; five brothers, Kenneth, Atchison, Wayne and wife Twila and Morris and wife Allene and Stanley, all of Colony, and Norman of Atwood; and sister-in-law, Marilyn Veteto.
Cremation was chosen and memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Colony Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Wounded Warriors Project, the Patriot Guard Riders or to the donor’s choice.
Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola is assisting the family. To sign the guestbook online or leave a condolence, go to www.iolafuneral.com.
Kieth Luedke
