Edwin A Lueck

Edwin A. Lueck, Jr. passed away unexpectedly due to a heart attack at home on Friday, June 10, 2016. He was just three months away from turning 89. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Laura (Schroeder) Lueck; sister, Marjorie Granborg, daughter, Peggy Ann; son-in-law, Randy Findlay; step-grandchild, Anna and he is survived by his wife, Leona, brother, Stanley, 5 children, 6 grand-kids, 3, step-grand-kids, numerous great-grand-kids.

Edwin grew up in a farming family in the Mudbrook area. At age 17 he enlisted in the Navy during WWII. During this time, the destroyer he was on escorted a German ship, Prince Eugene to the United States. Later, he was engaged in the atomic bomb testing in the Bikini Attols. Ed certainly enjoyed extolling his naval experiences to his friends and family, traveling the great Yangtze river of China, being ashore in Hawaii, and stationed in San Diego.

Being very proud of his military service, Ed joined the American Legion Post of Genoa City, WI, where he was chaplain and commander of the post for several terms. When they moved "back home" to New Auburn 26 years ago, he and his wife became active in the local post too. Ed was also a lifetime member of the VFW in Richmond Illinois.

Upon his discharge from the Navy, Ed returned to Mudbrook where he married his polka dancing partner for life, Leona McFarlane. During their 67 years of marriage, they raised six children, twins Dwight and Duane, Peggy Ann, Douglas, Diane (Daumler) and Debra (Findlay).

After migrating from Minneapolis to northern Illinois, Ed secured his life long work as heavy equipment operator of the Local 150 Operating Engineers, working on the Illinois toll roads and at a large scale gravel pit. He was proud of his union membership and served as a union steward for many years.

For fun, you could always find Ed and Leona on the local dance floors, waltzing away to their favorite polka bands of the day.

Ed came from very humble beginnings and so was proud of his and his family's accomplishments. He always spoke highly of his six grandkids, Jim, Mike, Gary, Malinda, Amanda and Murphy and the four Daumler step-kids, Rebecca, Walter, Emily and Anna. He didn't get to spend much face time with them due to long distances, but he sure enjoyed the many shared photos.

Since relocating back to New Auburn, he and Leona reestablished old friendships and gained new ones. Close cousins, John and Bonnie Lueck, and nephews Roger McFarlane and Mike Super were very helpful to them over the years and very much appreciated.

Ed and Leona took on the task of maintaining the Turner Family Cemetery for several years, which is where he will be laid to rest alongside many of his family. Funeral services will be held at Olson Funeral Home, Friday, June 17, 2016 at 12:00 PM with a visitation from10:00 AM-12:00PM at the funeral home on Friday. Military honors will be performed at the cemetery by the Bloomer American Legion and VFW.