Richard "Dick" Luedke Jr.

Richard Luedtke Jr. RACINE – Richard ‘Dick’ Luedtke Jr., 95, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2017 at Ascension-All Saints Hospital. Dick was a lifelong resident of Racine, born on April 18, 1921, the son of the late Richard Sr. and Dora (nee: Jacobson) Luedtke. He was a 1940 graduate of William Horlick High School. After graduation he served an apprenticeship in Pattern Making and Design. Dick’s education was interrupted while he served in the United States Army during World War II. He served in the European Theater of Operations from 1942 – 1945. He held the rank of Staff Sargent and was attached to an Ordinance/Engineering Field Unit that supplied the Seventh Army. His unit took part in the Omaha Beach Landing, the Northern France Campaign, Liberation of Paris, the Rhine River Crossing, the Central European Campaign and the Battle of the Bulge. Returning home he continued his education at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and Gateway Technical College. On June 19, 1948 Dick was united in marriage to Mary E. Dederick at Holy Name Church. She preceded him in death on October 6, 2001. Dick was employed by J.I. Case Company for 38 years. Prior to his retiring, he was manager of the Pattern Design Department. Dick was past president of the Racine/Kenosha Pattern Makers, past secretary of the Racine Sierra Club, a member of the American Foundrymen’s Society, member of the retired Men’s Bowling Team and retired Men’s Golf League. Dick was also an avid fisherman with a number of trophy fish to his credit. Surviving are his two sons, Kurt Luedtke and Jim Luedtke, both of Racine; two grandchildren, Heather (Jeff) Walker of Sun Prairie and Craig (Sarah) Luedtke of Racine and dear friend, Shirley Yoder of Racine. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his brother, Jack Leudtke on July 20, 2012 and sister, Phyllis Peterson on August 27, 2011. Funeral services for Dick will be held at Sturino Funeral Home on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 11 a.m. Entombment with full military honors will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. There will be a visitation at the funeral home on Thursday from 10 a.m. until time of service. Memorials in Dick’s memory to Calvary Memorial Church have been suggested.

Tributes

Richard "Dick" Luedke Jr.

April 18, 1921 - March 17, 2017