Martin George Lueck, 91, formerly of the town of Pine River, died Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010 at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill.
He was born Feb. 22, 1919, in Okabena, MN, the son of Henry and Anna (Moratzka) Lueck. On Dec. 22, 1951, he married Shirlee Ann Hagadorn in Papillion, NE. She preceded him in death on May 18, 2008.
Martin attended school in Okabena, MN, and then went to work on the family farm. He later became a technician for Daisy Breeders and left home to work in the Omaha, NE area, where he met Shirlee working in her mother’s restaurant.
After they married, Martin and Shirlee moved to Merrill in 1959. Martin served the farmers in the Merrill area as an American Breeders Service technician while renting a house on Norwiegan Road from Matt Severt. In 1965, Martin purchased his own dairy farm on Hwy. P in the town of Pine River. With love and laughter and a talent for farming, Martin and Shirlee made it through the hard times and succeeded in making a good living off 156 acres and a herd of about 50 holstiens. They were able to put both of their children through college, an accomplishment of which they were very proud. Martin milked his last cow in 1994 at the age of 75, having seen his youngest child graduate college. After retirement, Martin remained active, making firewood, gardening, mowing an ever-expanding acreage and helping others in the neighborhood with farm chores.
Martin was a long-time member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Pine River. He was also a former 4-H leader. He loved being outdoors, working with his hands and spending time with his family. He will be remembered for both his sense of reason and his mischievous grin.
He is survived by his daughter Denise (Carl Berg) Lueck, Wausau; son Collin (Dena) Lueck, Merrill; grandsons, Derek and Jacob; a sister, Berdina Kalfs, Lakefield, MN; a sister-in-law Elaine Lueck, Okabena, MN; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Martin was preceded in death by Shirlee, his wife of 56 years; brothers Donald, Fred, Walter, Melvin, Arnold and Henry Lueck; sisters Alma Becker, Hulda Rehnelt, Helen Gehrls, Olga Dvorak, Ann Beyerkohler, and Doris Larson.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. Pastor David Faulkner will officiate. Friends may call from 12 noon until the time of services on Dec. 1 at the funeral home. Inurnment will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery, town of Pine River, at a later date.
The family would like to thank the staff of Pine Crest Nursing Home for their excellent care of Martin over the past 3 years. Thanks also to the Pine River neighbors for their care and concern for Martin and Shirlee in their later years.
Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, handled the arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.