Racine – Elmer William Luepke, 90, was called home to our Lord and Savior on Monday, July 28, 2009. He was born in Spencer, Wisconsin on December 17, 1918, son of the late Fred and Ella (nee: Krause) Luepke. On July 12, 1941 he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Genevieve F. Schmidt, in the parsonage of First Evangelical Lutheran Church. During WW II, Elmer served in the U.S. Army in the 30th Division (artillery), as part of a 105 Howitzer crew. During his training, his loving bride, Genny, followed him from camp to camp until his final debarkation. He served in several European campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge. The stories were few, but the pain of that war was never far from his eyes. He always enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. In the years before and after the war, he enjoyed going out with his brothers, Arnold and Freddie. When he settled in Racine, he and Genny built the home where they raised their family and where he lived until recently. Elmer worked for Twin Disc for over 40 years, retiring in 1983. God blessed Dad and he never forgot that. If he did, Mom reminded him. He was a blessing to many, but he was, and remains my hero. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Shawn Luepke of Holland, Michian; grandchildren, Michael (Jessica) Luepke of Holland, and Regan Luepke, also of Holland; son-in-law, Gary (Sharon) Hurtienne of Austin, Indiana. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and special friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Genny; two daughters, Kathleen Luepke and Charmaine Hurtienne; and his grandchildren, Rhoni and Randy Hurtienne, his brothers Fred, Arnold, and his sister, Irene Verch. Complete funeral services will be held in the chapel at West Lawn Memorial Park on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will begin in the chapel at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to the Bethesda Lutheran Home, 700 Hoffmann Drive, Waterford, WI 53094. The family wishes to express special thanks to his neighbors, friends and family who assisted him in his final months, and special gratitude to the staff of Hospice House of Holland, Michigan for their loving care and support during his final weeks.
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