Joe Luke

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Joe Luke, 73, of Dell Rapids passed away Thursday, November 28, 2019 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 AM Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Dell Rapids. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM followed by a Wake Service at 7:00 PM Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at the church.

Joe was born in Mitchell, SD to August and Mary (Neis) Luke on August 19, 1946. He went to school in Marion.  He married Karen Berthelsen on July 15, 1966 in Parker, SD.  They moved to a farm east of Dell Rapids in 1971, where he farmed for Wayne Burkhart for 27 years. They moved into town in 1981.  In October of 1998 he started farming for Kevin and Renee Brown until he retired in November of 2013. Although, he was retired he still enjoyed helping the Browns out part-time with the harvest season, until the fall of 2017. He also helped at the Dell Rapids Elevator in the spring. His real passion was for small engine repair and helping others. He really enjoyed the conversations he had with all the people in and out of the shop, swapping stories, and the countless friendships he made. He started fixing things in his garage and continued in the Luke Shop, where he kept very busy. There was never a day his phone didn’t ring or a lawn mower or snow blower wasn’t being dropped off.  Joe was a selfless, caring and loving person who truly touched the lives of his family and those around him.

Joe is preceded in death by his sons, Marvin and Scott Luke; parents, August and Mary Luke; brothers, Don and Bill Luke; sisters, Marlene Weber and Margaret Schrader.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Karen: son, Jeff (Brenda) Luke and daughter, Laurie (Ken) Schultz, both of Dell Rapids; daughter-in-law, Sherri (Clint) Dobesh of Centerton, AR; five brothers, John Luke of Marion, Jerome Luke of Mott, ND, Ray Luke of Sioux Falls, Mike Luke of Hartford, Paul Luke of Marion; five sisters, Mary Kelch of Clarion, I, Donna Mae Miller of Mott, ND, Bernice Kreis of Ashland, Neb, Christine Sarnowski of Blair, Neb, Verionica Narsavage of Moscow, PA; eight grandchildren, Ashley (James) Kroon of Sioux Falls, Kelsey (Dylan) Nelsen of Dell Rapids, Breona (Sam) Hinricher of  Fargo, ND, Michael Luke of Sioux Falls, Mallery Luke of Phoenix, AZ, Karley Luke of Centerton, A, Chad Sneve of Hudson, Dayton Sneve of Dell Rapids;  “granddog”, Tank of  Dell Rapids and seven great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Brown, Ross Brown, Levi Brown, Ron Haney, Patrick Harrington, Jack Entringer

Honorary Pallbearers: Jim Rhinehart (Rhino), Jim Borns, Cory Hollowood, Gary Anderson

The family of Joe wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Herber, Dr. McKean, Dr. Gant, Dr. Arneson, Molly, all of his nurses and staff at the Prairie Center and McKennan Hospital, Avera Hospice, his nurses Patty, Nikki, and the wonderful care staff; Patrick Harrington and all of our family and friends. A special thank you to Kevin and Renee Brown and their boys for everything they have done for Joe and his family. It has meant the world to us all.

The family requests memorials be directed to ESA Christmas for our Kids, Dell Rapids Pink Ladies or local charity of their choice in Joe’s name.