Carl R. Luepke of Hudson, Wisconsin passed away Saturday, September 15, 2018. A hero is defined as a person who is idealized for their courage, outstanding or noble qualities. Carl was a true hero. One of his first acts of courage was facing his father after accidentally burning down the hay barn when he was in his teens. He recovered from that act of bravery and then decided he was ready for more and courageously enlisted in the Navy. Following his military service, Carl would work in a variety of jobs from bulk milk delivery man to soda pop truck driver to gas truck driver, eventually retiring as a dispatcher for the United States Postal Service. His next great act of courage was asking his wife Faye for her hand in marriage. Carl’s act of bravery would reward him with 52 years of marriage. Just when he thought his courageous acts could take a rest, Carl would become a father to not just one daughter but three daughters. Nan (Randy), Jill and Carla (Mike) were gifted with a dad who taught them how to drive, change the oil in their cars, use a chainsaw and how to shoot a shotgun. Their dad was truly a “man’s man” and they always thought of him as their real-life Superman. Carl was a great dad who showed extreme courage living in an “estrogen-filled” house but that would soon change with the birth of his son, Lance (Marcia). When Lance was born, nothing could wipe the smile from his face. Together they would share hunting and snowmobile trips, fishing and many other “manly” adventures. In his downtime, Carl’s favorite place to be was on Bone Lake, WI. fishing, hunting the rice beds or watching the beautiful sunset. Carl eventually became a grandfather when Jaenea (Chad) was born, followed by Brantley (Jamie), Carlen (Jorge), Emma and Tess. Carl became a great-grandfather with the addition of Grace & Claire (Jaenea and Chad). No greater courage was required when all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were all in one room together. Of course, he was up to this challenge because God gifted him with the noblest of qualities, the quiet hero. It didn’t matter what life handed him, Carl took every up, down and all-around with courage and steadfast endurance. He was the safe place and smiling face. His noble quality? He was a good and faithful servant.

A Celebration Of Life for Carl will be 4PM Tuesday, September 18th at Bethel Lutheran Highlands Church, 504 Frontage Road in Hudson. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at Bethel Highlands. Burial with full military honors paying tribute to his service in the Navy will be in the Baldwin Cemetery.  Memorials preferred to the discretion of the family. Funeral services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson.