On February 4, 2016, at St. Lucas Care Center of Faribault, Elvira Sophia (Klingberg) Luedke, long-time resident of Prior Lake, was 95 when she entered eternal peace and was joyfully reunited with her husband, Adolph.
A celebration of Life Service will be on February 12, 2016, at 11 am, with visitation starting at 9 am, all at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Fish Lake, 20200 Fairlawn Avenue, Prior Lake, MN. The Reverend Dr. Brent Parrish will preside. Elvira will be laid to rest next to her husband at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.
Gracing this world on February 6, 1920, Elvira was born on the family farm by Lydia. She was the second of five children to Emil and Edna Klingberg. Elvira attended District #28 Parochial Lutheran School near Fish Lake through the eighth grade. Not having a high school nearby, she moved into her grandparents’ home in Belle Plaine during the week and would travel home to help on the farm on the weekends. Elvira graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1938.
Elvira’s parents always told her to find a young man who did not smoke and was a nice guy. Unbeknown to her, Elvira’s parents’ friend, had a son that fit the criteria. His name was Adolph D. Luedke. As their loved flourished, they enjoyed attending dances at Spring Lake Pavilion. On June 14, 1957 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Prior Lake, MN, Elvira and Adolph exchanged wedding vows. They bought 80 acres from Adolf O. Luedke Sr. and built a homestead, including a house, barn and sheds. Elvira and Adolph tended to the animals, especially the baby chickens and working the crops in the fields. They also owned and operated a school bus service for the Prior Lake area. In later years, Elvira and Adolph enjoyed bus trips and an occasional flight to see friends in Arizona. He passed in December of 1994.
Life became complete for Elvira and Adolph, when they adopted two beautiful girls, Joyce and Mary Lynn. As a family they enjoyed working on the hobby farm together, especially caring for the Dutch Belt cows. As the girls grew up, Elvira worked for Sears and Roebuck Company as a clerical clerk.
Elvira’s hands never stopped moving. She enjoyed gardening and canning the fruits of her labor. In her spare time, Elvira loved to embroider dish towels and play flume with friends. She was also a member of the Prior Lake V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary.
Left to honor Elvira’s life and mourn the death are her daughters, Joyce (Edward) Karn, Mary Lynn (Robert) Ferguson; grandchildren, Laura Karn, Amy Karn, Sean Karn, Jenna Luedke, Amber Luedke, Emily Luedke; great-grandchildren, Brandon Ferguson, Dan Grudon; sisters-in-law, Della Klingberg and Rosella Ebenoh; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Elvira home is her husband, Adolph; parents, Emil and Edna; siblings, Leo Klingberg, Lois Klingberg, Elmer Klingberg, Harvey (Luverne) Klingberg.
