Gale Arthur Ludeking

Tuesday, February 24, 2015 7:32 pm

Gale Arthur Ludeking, 90, of Waukon, died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, at his home in Waukon. Visitation was Friday, Feb. 20, from 4-7 p.m. at the Salem United Church of Christ, rural Waukon, and one hour before services at the church Saturday. Memorial services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Salem United Church of Christ, rural Waukon.  Rev. Susan Klimstra was the officiant. Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Salem United Church of Christ Cemetery, rural Waukon. Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Monona, assisted the family with the arrangements. Condolences may be left with graufuneralhomes.com.

Gale Arthur, the son of George Arthur and Cynthia (Miller) Ludeking, was born Jan. 29, 1925, at his family’s home in Glenwood Township, Winneshiek County. He attended country school at the Pagan School and graduated from Waukon High School in 1943. Gale enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Philippines and he was part of the Occupation Force of Japan. After he returned home, Gale was a buyer for Oscar Meyer Meat Packing in Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. Gale was united in marriage with Helen Buerger Dec. 31, 1948, at the Salem Evangelical Church parsonage, rural Waukon. Gale and Helen farmed in Viola, Wis. for nine years, raising tobacco and sheep, and milking Holstein cattle. They then moved to Iowa, and Gale sold Moorman’s Feed in the Waukon and Fayette areas. The family moved to Decorah in 1968 and raised beef, hogs and grain until 1982. In 1979, Gale purchased the first silage bagger in Winneshiek County and did custom silage bagging for 14 years. He and Helen moved to Waukon in 1994 after he retired. Gale was a member of Salem United Church of Christ and served on the consistory. He was a member of the Waukon V.F.W. and the National Farmers Organization. Gale loved life. Fishing, hunting, dancing and playing cards were favorite pastimes. Gale enjoyed hearing a good story and had many stories of his own to tell.

Gale is survived by his wife of 66 years, Helen, of Waukon; three children: Jason (Michiko) Ludeking of Burr Oak; James (Martha) Ludeking of Decorah; and Robert Ludeking of Decorah; seven grandchildren: Jared Ludeking, Eimi (Carson) Clark, Cynthia (Eric) Ryan, Jorja (Ben) Ludeking, Joshua (Cori) Ludeking, Matthew Wilker and Luke Steiber; 11 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Willi (Carol) Buerger; sisters-in-law, Hedy Leas, Sophie Callen, Theresa (Jack) Tremain and Ann Schaffer; and many nieces and nephews.

Gale was preceded in death by his parents; his brother and sister-in-law, Jesslie and Mary Ludeking; and brother-in-law, Arvid Leas.