Harriet Carol (Krown) Luebke, 89, of Hamilton, passed away at The Kensington in Fort Madison, Iowa, at 7:37 a.m., Saturday, August 26, 2023.

Carol was born December 30, 1933, daughter of Harry and Iris (Torum) Krown, in Hammond, Indiana.  She graduated from Sparta High School in Sparta, Illinois.

On June 21, 1952, she was united in marriage to Wilfred (Bill) Luebke.  Bill was her “honey” and the love of her life.  He preceded her in death on January 24, 2021.  

Carol worked at her dad’s filling station and as a switchboard operator for AT&T in her late teens.  She worked at Sheller Globe for ten years, before retiring.  

Carol was a member of First Lutheran Church in Keokuk and has always enjoyed being involved and serving at church functions.  Through the years, she was a Sunday School teacher, helped at many Vacation Bible Schools, was involved in Women’s Ministries, participated in creating the stained glass windows at Concordia Lutheran Church, and helped start a Lutheran Preschool in Warsaw.  She and Bill enjoyed traveling (especially to see their kids and grandkids), attending auctions, and raising ponies.  She was always finding treasures among “boxes of stuff” that she’d purchased at an auction.  She loved to “go bumming” with the family as they’d drive, shop, or visit favorite places together.  Carol loved Christmastime and the lights that went along with it.  She was Santa’s helper and loved dressing as Santa Claus to visit the school and library.  She even had a mobile Santa house that Bill built for her.  She was an avid crafter and a skilled painter of ceramics.  She was known in the family for her cooking, especially her Texas sheet cake, potato salad, candied sweet potatoes, and Jell-o salads.  She always cooked in large batches because she was usually feeding her big family.  Of all things, family was most important to her.  She cherished times together with her children and grandchildren.  Her faith in Jesus was unwavering and it was reflected in the love she showed everyone.  

Carol is survived by her children:  Jesse (Annette) Luebke of Hamilton, Karen Brooks of Denton, Texas, Cheryl (Dave Sr.) Jones, of Kimberling City, Missouri, Lauren (Jason) Roth of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and step-daughter Julia Comstock of Menomonie, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Jill (Brent) Dobbins, Megan (Jared) Massey, Erin (Tyler) Brown, Britin (Chris) Strong, Shannon Brooks, Jenny (Marty) Matherly, David Jr. (Cathy) Jones, David Jr. (Amanda) Stice, Chad Roth, Brent (Crystal) Roth, Noelle (Justin) Brunet, Jamie (Stacy) Burr, Scott Burr, and Wendy Ziehme; twenty-five great-grandchildren; sister, Elaine Luebke; sister-in-law, Tangaira Krown; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her husband’s parents; granddaughter, Alichia Luebke; grandson; Brian Stice; son-in-law, Jess Brooks; sister, June Poppe; brother, Louis Krown; brothers-in-law, Wallace Luebke and Harold Luebke; and sister-in-law, Caroline Meier. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 31st from 9:00-11:00, with family meeting friends at Printy Funeral Home in Hamilton.  The Funeral Service will immediately follow at 11 a.m., with grandson, Rev. Jared Massey, officiating.  Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. at the Keokuk National Cemetery with military rites for her husband, Bill.

Memorials may be made out to The Kensington or Southeast Iowa Hospice.

 

Printy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.