Emilie E. Luebke

Emilie E. Luebke, age 87, of Manitowoc, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2025, with her family by her side. Emilie was born on September 2, 1937, in Manitowoc County to Gustav and Erna (Gauger) Laabs. Her father was originally from Triebs, East Germany, in the region of Pomerania.

Those who knew Emilie will remember her for her infectious smile, contagious laughter, gentle kindness, and strong faith. She talked to everyone, remembered people’s names and made fast friends wherever she went.

Emilie grew up working alongside her parents on their family farm, where she developed a strong work ethic and deep sense of purpose. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1955 and went on to take courses at Silver Lake College and the Manitowoc County Vocational School. She began her professional life as a secretary at Clipper City Transit Company in Manitowoc, but her true calling emerged in caregiving. Emilie spent nearly her entire career serving others in home health care and local nursing homes as a CNA, offering dignity and compassion to those in need.

Community and connection were central to Emilie’s life. She was actively involved in many organizations over the years, including Home and Community Education, St. John’s Ladies Aid, the Manitowoc County Historical Society, and the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War. She also proudly served as an advisor to the Farm Bureau Young People and donated the historic Kunze-Luebke Cabin to Pinecrest Village, ensuring local history lived on.

A passionate historian and storyteller, Emilie devoted years to interviewing veterans and their families, preserving their memories in five books about the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Her dedication was recognized when the Library of Congress accepted her book on the Battle of Saipan—an honor that brought her great pride and joy.

Emilie is survived by her children: Tina (Jeff) Kvitek of Maribel; Joel (Lisa) Luebke; and Amy (Russ) Teresinski—all of Manitowoc. Grandchildren: Mandy Kroninger (partner, Matt Hudson) of Madison; Dan (Patty) Kvitek of California; Jacob (Megan) Luebke and John Luebke, all of Manitowoc; Sydney Teresinski (fiancé, Michael Siegel) of Madison; and Esther Teresinski (special friend, Dante Driscoll) of Boston, Massachusetts. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Lucas Kvitek of California, and Landon, Paisley, Kason, and Tegan Luebke of Manitowoc. Additional survivors include her sister-in-law, Audrey Laabs, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She now reunites in peace with her parents, brothers Leroy and Marvin Laabs, sister Gertrude Raether, sister-in-law Doris Laabs, and brother-in-law Elton Raether.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 7531 English Lake Road, Manitowoc. Officiating at the service will be the Rev. Michah Martin with burial in Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Kossuth. Friends may call at the church on Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and also on Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Reinbold & Pfeffer Funeral Home of Manitowoc, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.

Our family extends their deepest gratitude to Pastor Martin, the caregivers of Felician Village especially Jeremy and Katie, the caregivers of Froedert Holy Family Memorial Hospital especially Kathy, Linda and Megan, and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. John’s Lutheran Church or School in Newtonburg or a charity close to your heart. Emilie would be grateful to know that her spirit of giving lives on.

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil’

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.                                    Psalm 23

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