Arnold Herman Lueken

Arnold Herman Lueken, 92, of Colesburg, Iowa, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, February 28, 2019, at the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital in Guttenberg. He was born on November 13, 1926, in Luxemburg, the oldest of eight children of Herman and Marie (Ries) Lueken. Arnold grew up on a farm near Luxemburg. Following his father’s lead, Arnold joined the United States Army and completed his basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  He was very proud to serve his country from 1945 through 1947, which took him to Germany and leaving his tour of duty with the rank of T-4. Arnold received the opportunity of a lifetime in 2010, when given the chance to go to Washington, D.C., to view the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Wall, the Lincoln Memorial, the Marine Corps Memorial, the Arlington National Cemetery, and viewing the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. His family thanks the Honor Flight of Greater Dubuque for giving him that opportunity and his cherished memories.

On December 30, 1947, Arnold was united in marriage to Bernice E. Wedewer at St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna.  Together they managed a very successful farming operation south of Colesburg with their greatest accomplishment being their six children.

Arnold loved planting time, watching his crops grow, and the hard work at harvesting time. He lived every day as an adventure and always with a smile, even though he had many health problems.  Arnold was a very dedicated and loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. During his farming career, he milked cows, raised purebred boars and feeder pigs, had beef cattle and stock cows, and even sold purebred German Shepherd puppies.

Arnold was a member of the Colesburg American Legion Post #582. He served on the Farm Bureau Board as a director and president and was secretary for the Three Rivers FS Board. He also served on the Edgewood-Colesburg School Board for one term, acting as president his last year. Arnold also served for 19 years on the NRCS and was County Township Trustee.  He was a longtime member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Colesburg where he was an officer. Arnold was also on the cemetery board for many years.

From 1981 to 1993, Arnold played the accordian along with Howard Duwe (now deceased), who played the drums. They called themselves the “Arnie and Howie” Fun Time Band and played for local anniversary parties, dances, and even church polka masses. The playing stopped when Arnold developed chronic leukemia. He truly enjoyed his morning “meetings” at Becky’s office where the gang discussed all the Colesburg happenings.

Those left to cherish his memory are his six children, Shirley Lueken of Clearwater, Florida, Lois (Dennis) Steines, of Dyersville, Jan (Ruth) Lueken of Colesburg, David (Judy) Lueken of Greeley, Jeffrey (Terri) Lueken of Anamosa, and Steven (Jill) Lueken of Colesburg; 12 grandchildren, Holly (David) Moorman, Benjamin (Maria) Lueken, Kara (Neil) Crane, Sara (Kyle) McDermid, Joshua (Katie) Lueken, Jessica (Phil)  Parsons, Justin (Marissa) Lueken, Jennifer (Jordan) Perrinjaquet, Lucie (Anthony) Schmitz, Tony (Anna) Lueken, Dakota (Jessica) Lueken, and Hunter Lueken;  23 great-grandchildren with two more on the way, Austin and Alexander Hansel, Cash Moorman, Rylee and Reegan Lueken, Mila and Shay Crane, Scarlett and Maverick McDermid, Cora and Levi Lueken, Alexandra, Ezra, Julian, and Micah Parsons, Mack, Zeke, Huck, and Beau Perrinjaquet, Lawson and Nova Lueken, and Kain and Karlie Schmitz; and his five siblings, Rita Engelken of Manchester, Mildred (Al) Lombard of Iowa City, Paul (Luella) Lueken of Garber, Willie (JoAnn) Lueken of Durango, and Donald (Mikki) Lueken of Dubuque; and sisters-and-brothers-in-law, Elaine Lueken of Dyersville, Elaine (Francis) Vonderhaar of New Vienna, Kathleen Trenkamp of Dyersville, and Joan Wedewer of Dubuque.

Arnold was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice in 2013; a grandson, Brian Steines in 1993; his parents, Herman and Marie (Ries)  Lueken; his father and-mother-in-law, Art and Clara (Bildstein) Wedewer; one sister, Anna Mae Tobin; one brother, Robert Lueken; sisters-in-law, Helen Deppe and Darlene Wedewer; and brothers-in-law, Alfred Tobin, Howard “Bud” Wedewer, Leon Wedewer, Dave Wedewer, Lawrence Deppe, and Albert Trenkamp.

Arnold’s family would like to express a sincere thank you to all of his wonderful caregivers who crossed paths with Dad along his journey, especially all of his doctors and nursing staff at Guttenberg and Dubuque, for taking such wonderful care of him over the years. To the University of Iowa Hospital and their team of doctors and nurses for giving him additional time by replacing his heart valve with a pig valve in 2016. If it weren’t for all of them understanding our dad’s health problems, we would not have had him with us this long. He lived beyond their medical expectations. And lastly, to Lincolnwood Assisted Living and Convalescent Home staff in Edgewood, which Dad called his home for the past several months. Thank you all!

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Patrick or St. Mark Catholic Cemeteries or a charity of your choice.

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