Lubka, Merle Glen -- 1924 - 1998

STOPPERAN, LUBKA, COLSCH, RABE, BACKHAUS

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 5/18/2010 at 17:31:10

Funeral services for Merle Lubka were held Saturday, January 2, 1999, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Paul Lutheran Church at Postville, Iowa. The Reverend T. M. Marks officiated, assisted by the Reverend Robert S. Hupp. The Schutte Funeral Service of Postville was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the Postville Cemetery.

Merle Glen Lubka, the son of Louis and Anna (Stopperan) Lubka, was born June 25, 1924, in Winneshiek County near Castalia, Iowa. He passed away Wednesday, December 30, 1998, in the Good Samaritan Center at Postville, Iowa. He had reached the age of 74 years, six months and five days.

Merle was baptized on July 26, 1924 by Rev. Schmidt and confirmed on November 13, 1938 by Rev. Ludwig at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville.

Merle attended the Oak Hill School near his home and graduated from Postville High School in 1942.

On June 28, 1945 he was married to Marie Alice Colsch at the Presbyterian Church in Waukon, Iowa. To this union four children were born, Leland, Connie, Reggie and Gary. For three years the couple lived with Merle's parents, they then moved to a farm near Luana. They also farmed in the Volney, Rossville and Postville areas and farmed for 12 years in the Glenwood Church area near Decorah.

In 1977 Merle and Marie moved to their present home in Postville. Merle sold NaChurs Fertilizer for several years and had earned their Top Salesman Award. He also worked as a carpenter and helped many people with planning their building projects. Merle was in the lawn spraying business as well.

He took care of his wife, Marie, when she became ill, helping with the housework and other tasks, until he had his heart attack. Merle thought the world of their grandchildren and looked forward to seeing them. He loved his poodle, Boby, who went everywhere with him, even occasionally, to church.

He is survived by his wife, Marie, a son, Leland (Joannie) Lubka of Ames, IA, a daughter, Connie (Jim) Rabe of Center Pt., Iowa and a son, Reggie (Laura) Lubka of Postville; six grandchildren, Stacie, Matthew and Michael Rabe, Caleb Lubka and Jennifer and Bridgette Lubka; one sister, Hazel Backhaus of Postville; two sisters-in-law, Thelma Leubke of Postville and Lucille Leubke of Dubuque, several nieces and nephews and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a son, Gary Lubka, three brothers, Clarence, Elmer, and Roy and a sister, Violet, who died in infancy.

Merle was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and was presently serving on the Church Council and Chairman of the Property Committee.

Casket bearers were David Leubke, Dan Bartlein, Jim Farmer, Belly Schlee, Donald Haberkorn, Scott Heying and Gary Kubitz. Honorary casket bearers were Merlin Hansmeier, Virgil Harris, Kenneth Kerndt, Norman Wheeler, Pat Delaney, Leo Franzen, Clair Moellers, Jerry Engels, Mark Bries, Rick Gunderson, Loren Eberling, Eugene Schutte, Darwin Ellis, Paul Kramer and Vernon Bohr.

Postville, Iowa newspaper of the time clipping, from my mother's obituary collection. Posted for genealogical purposes, contributor is not related.