Alvin Luedke

Alvin C. Luedke, passed away peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on August 28, 2017, at the age of 88, surrounded by his loving family. The family will be holding a visitation on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Drive, Woodway, Texas 76712. Funeral Services will held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 31, 2017, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 2000 Clay Avenue, Waco, Texas, 76706; followed by a brief graveside service at Waco Memorial Park.

Alvin was born on August 15, 1929, in Mumford, Texas, the oldest son of Richard O. and Lydia Knecht Luedke and one of five children. After growing up on the family farm in the Spunky Flat community and attending the Eureka School and Marlin High School, Alvin honorably served in the Army National Guard from 1948 to 1956. Alvin married the love of his life, Ida S. Pankonien Luedke, on March 13, 1954, in Otto, Texas. He was employed at the General Tire and Rubber Company for 32 years; 20 years as a tire builder in the passenger tire department, and 12 years as a trucker within the tire plant. After retiring in 1987, Alvin and Ida served their church as custodians for many years. They also enjoyed cultivating their backyard vegetable garden and spending time with their beloved family. They have been faithful members of St. Mark Lutheran Church since 1962. Alvin’s favorite pastimes were cheering and fussing at his favorite teams: the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers and the fightin’ Texas Aggies of Texas A&M. He also loved attending and supporting his grandchildren’s sports activities.

Alvin was proceeded in death by his parents, his father in-law and mother-in-law Ed and Ella Pankonien, his son-in-law Gary W. Hatcher, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and his beloved dog, Luke.

Alvin is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Ida Luedke; his daughter Carol Miller and husband Terry of Belton; daughter, Donna Blackwell and husband Walter of Arlington; son, Richard E. Luedke and Partner, Ron Gonzales of Keller; Granddaughters Amanda Miller of Stephenville, Melanie Miller of Copperas Cove, and Jennifer Gonzales of Keller; Grandsons Gary Hatcher II of North Richland Hills, Kevin Hatcher and wife Kaleigh Hatcher of Arlington; Great Grandchildren Benton and Sadie Hatcher of Arlington and Jami Quarz of Keller; his brother Jay Luedke and wife LaVonne of North Richland Hills; his brother Danny Luedke and wife Doris of Marlin; his sister Mary Morgan and husband Kenneth of Temple; his brother Walter Luedke and wife Grace of Frisco; along with numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mark Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society. Special thanks go to his medical team who cared so loving for him: Gwenn Dalton RN with Gentle Transitions Hospice; Dr. Scott Blattman, Ann Fabian RN, Dr. David Pinkstaff, and Lisa Munguia with Visiting Angels.