Hamilton Ferdinand "Ferd" Luebke, 90, died Saturday, Jan. 12, in Menahga.
Services were Wednesday, Jan. 16, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. Burial was in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
"Ferd" Luebke was born to Herman and Ida (Brandenburg) Luebke on April 7, 1911, in Castlewood, S.D. He graduated from Castlewood High School and received a bachelor of science degree from South Dakota State College, Brookings, S.D. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha.
After his marriage to Marian Neill in 1938 he became editor and publisher of The Hamlin County Republican and Watertown (Herald) Public Opinion in South Dakota. The newspapers were put into suspension during World War II when he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army. He served as Chief of Public Relations to Gen. Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines. For his efforts he received the Army Medal of Commendation, a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. After the war they moved to Luverne where he worked for Tri-State Mutual. He served on the county fair board, originating the Rock County Free Fair, helped found the Tri-State Band Festival and was active in the VFW, American Legion and Boy Scouts. He received the Silver Beaver award from the Boy Scouts of America.
The family was transferred to Hopkins where he joined Iowa National Mutual and worked for them in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Omaha, Neb. He served six years as the first executive manager of the Park Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce before retiring. He served on the Hubbard County Fair Board, the Itasca State Park Board and was treasurer of the Food Shelf.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Jon and Jeanne Luebke, Waconia, and Neill and Fran Luebke, Brookfield, Wis.; two grandchildren, Jon (Judith) Luebke, Royal Oak, Mich., and Michelle Luebke, Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic; two stepgrandchildren, Jara (Mark) and Kyle (Jill) and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Marian, and six brothers and sisters.
Memorials are directed to establish the Ferd and Marian Luebke Memorial Scholarship Fund, Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 822, Luverne, MN 56156.
Jones-Pearson Funeral Home, Park Rapids, was in charge of arrangements.