Don Lunke, 64, of Holt passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 9, 2019 with his loving family at his side.
The funeral service to celebrate Don’s life will be held 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at Nazareth Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at the Holt Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Holt. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at Nazareth Lutheran Church.
Don Arthur Lunke was born November 24, 1954 in Thief River Falls, the son of Arthur and Verna (Peterson) Lunke. He was baptized and confirmed at Nazareth Lutheran Church, Holt. He attended grade school at Holt and graduated from Marshall County Central High School, Newfolden with the class of 1972. Following school, Don worked a short time at Thiebert’s in Red Lake Falls, John Deere and the United States Post Office in Thief River Falls.
On April 15, 1978, Don was married to Jody Garthus. To this union two children were born, Brad and Brenda. They settled on the Lunke Family Farm in East Valley Township, Marshall County. The Lunke Farm was established in 1892. Don was very proud to work hand-in-hand with his son and grandsons, which are the fourth and fifth generations involved in the operation. His passion was farming all while spending 28 years driving feeder truck nights for UPS to Fargo.
In 2005, Don retired from UPS after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Don continued to farm, operate Lunke’s Inc. and Dairyland Seed.
Don was a member of Nazareth Lutheran Church, Holt where he served as president and was instrumental in building the new Nazareth Lutheran Church in 1993. He also served 28 years as East Valley Township Supervisor.
In his spare time, Don enjoyed spending time with all his grandkids, tractor pulling contests, hunting, camping, riding motorcycle, snowmobile, playing his accordion, violin, organ and singing at numerous church occasions.
Don was a very optimistic man who enjoyed life. He always looked out for everybody else first. In Don’s 15 years fighting cancer, he always was an encouragement and inspiration to others with his positive attitude. He did seven clinical trials for cancer at the Omaha Nebraska Medical Center; his goal was to help make a difference in somebody’s life.
On February 10, 2018, Don married Peggy Hogberg at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Holt. This was a relationship which began in their ninth grade class at Marshall County High School, which re-kindled 49 years later in September of 2017. They filled the void in each other’s life by sharing devotions, having coffee, traveling, caring for and supporting each other.
Survivors include Don’s wife, Peggy Hogberg-Lunke; children, Brad (Sara) Lunke, Brenda (Tom) Paquin and Corey (Anna) Hogberg; eight grandchildren: Wyatt, Izeck, Ty and Tucker Lunke, McKenna, Mya and Myron Paquin, Cameron Hogberg; and many other relatives and friends.
Don is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; great-grandparents; favorite uncle, Jens Lunke and special friend, Darryl Jarshaw.
Don’s family would like to extend their deep appreciation to Dr. Vose, Susan Blummel and all of the staff at the Omaha Medical Center and American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, Omaha, NE. Memorials will be designated to: Trails To Treatment, American Cancer Society Hope Lodge and Nazareth Lutheran Church.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com