Winnifred Luebke

Winnifred Luebke, 90, of Foxhome, MN, passed away on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Pioneer Care Cottages in Fergus Falls, MN, after succumbing to pneumonia. The memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 25, 2025, with a visitation beginning one hour prior to the service, at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND. A funeral mass will begin at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 25, 2025, at St. John's Catholic Church, Wahpeton. Jeanne Putnam will be officiating the services at the funeral home and burial will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Breckenridge, MN. Arrangements have been entrusted to Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home. 

Winnie was born on September 25, 1934, to Robert and Elnora Steeves in Foxhome, MN. She attended District 62, a one room country school, through the sixth grade then finished at Campbell High School. Winnie loved to tell stories about walking to the country school even in the winter unless her dad was able to bring them, sometimes in the tractor with trailer. 

Winnie met David Pehl in the eighth grade and they stayed sweethearts until they married on July 10, 1951, at St. Joseph's Church in Foxhome. The young couple made their home in Campbell, MN, until 1954, when they moved to Maxbass, ND. In 1955, they made the move to St. Paul, MN, and lived in several towns around the metro area. While in the Twin cities, Winnie worked at Honeywell, Pearson Candy Company, and drove school bus. Her children fondly remember their mom bringing home boxes of rejected candy for them to enjoy! During this time, they grew their family to nine children. David and Winnie divorced, and Winnie moved back to the Foxhome. After moving back 'home,' Winnie met James (Louie) Luebke and they later married. She was able to buy an old house and spent many years adding her touches, remodeling when necessary and was in a constant state of fixing it up. Her home was her pride and joy and she always had it decorated to the nines for each holiday with Christmas being the highlight of the year. She often hosted the local homemakers group with themed gathering with the local ladies. As her health declined, she was unable to keep up with the demand of taking care of her house but always told visitors that she was going to get better so she could get back home and fix it up. 

Winnie worked at the Doran Steakhouse, Judge Ruthuer's office, Social Services of Breckenridge, 3M in Wahpeton, Foxhome Bar, and Pepsi/S&R vending. There wasn't anything Winnie was afraid to do or try. Eventually, these jobs no longer provided her the joy she longed for and her love of children took over. Winnie began caring for her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Retirement was not for Winnie and she kept on the move as long as she was able. After her own grandchildren were grown, she worked for the Central MN Foster Grandparent Program. This brought her into the Breckenridge Elementary School working in the classroom of Patricia Wilson (sixth grade) and Nadine Kramer (fourth grade). Winnie and Nadine developed a special friendship that continued to the very end. 

Winnie had such a love for crafting, gardening, baking, and BINGO with her sister, Beverly. She was always willing to involve her grandchildren in cooking and baking, even through it took so much longer with them helping. One special memory for some, is her taking the time and patience to make rosettes with them. Winnie was always ready with goodies and coffee anytime someone stopped in for a visit. Hosting large family gatherings was her specialty with Christmas being her favorite. Several grandchildren have inherited her love of cooking and baking to continue the delicious traditions she started for the holidays. 

When it became clear that she could no longer remain home, Winnie moved to Pioneer Heartland Senior Cottage in June of 2024. Her family is very grateful for the exceptional care and companionship that the Heartland Cottage staff gave her along with the residents. Winnie was a fighter and persevered through many challenges in her life. 

Winnie is survived by her children, Robert (Jackie), Angie (Larry) Carlson, Suzanne Pehl, Mike (Colleen), Roxanne (Russell) Henderson, Shelly Willemssen, Joe (Bernice), and Rich (Dawn); 23 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; 7 foreign exchange grandchildren; siblings, Shirley Kath, Larry (Joan) Steeves, Bernie (Pat) Steeves, Mary Steeves, Cindy (Richard) Schreiber, Verne Steeves, Joyce (David) Petermann; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Elnora Steeves; sons, Terry Pehl and Chris Pehl; son-in-law, Gary Willemssen; sister, Beverly Hasbargen; brother, Donnie Steeves; and husbands, David Pehl and James Luebke. 

Obituary Submitted by Winnie's Loving Family.