Leonard John "L.J." Luedke passed away peacefully on May 7, 2015 in Seguin, Texas due to complications from congestive heart failure. He was 90 years old. He was born at home in the rural, German farming community of Deanville, Texas (Burleson County) on March 11, 1925 to John Benjamin and Ella Blinka Luedke. He was the oldest of five children: two brothers and two sisters. As a young boy, he was stricken with typhoid fever. He was seriously ill for several weeks and was not thought to survive. He grew up during hard times. As a boy, he was required to do all the chores necessary on a farm. He was drafted in 1944 and served in the US Army from late 1944 to 1946 working in Army Post Offices in Austria and Germany. Upon return to the states, he did odd jobs including growing crops on the family farm and as a result he always enjoyed vegetable gardening. In 1948, he moved to Sinton, Texas to start a job with the USDA in the Soil Conservation Service, a job that he loved. He retired from the USDA after 34 years of service in 1980. He then went on to work for 15 years as a surveyor with the San Patricio County Drainage District. In 1952, he met the love of his life, Maxine Skotnik, who was working at a car dealership in Sinton, Texas and they were wed on August 15, 1953 and to this union two sons, Jeff and Mark were born. He was very involved and supportive in the rearing of his sons including scouting and baseball. He spent countless hours in their backyard catching baseballs for his two sons and as they learned how to pitch. When his sons were teenagers, the family bought a boat and spent many enjoyable days on Lake Mathis learning how to water ski and catching whatever was biting that day. He and his wife saved money in order to help finance their son's college educations. He was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Sinton where he served on the Church Council and as a Sunday School Superintendent. When he and his wife moved to Seguin, Texas in 1996, he was active member of Emanuel's Lutheran Church. He was an example of the kind of person we should all strive to be. As a man, he served his country, community, and church. As a Dad, he loved, supported, and was an active participant in the lives of his two sons. As a husband, he deeply loved and respected his wife. L.J. had arthritis in his lower back and hip most of his adult life, yet he never let it slow him down. I know in heaven, the Lord has healed his physical pains and has blessed his soul. We shall miss him very much. He is preceded in death by his parents. He leaves behind his wife of almost 62 years, Maxine of Seguin, Texas; and his sons, Jeff Luedke and his wife Gina of San Antonio and Mark Luedke, of San Marcos; his four siblings, Ellen Bailey of Cameron, TX , Alton Luedke and wife Alice of Sinton, TX, Vernell Kuehn of Caldwell, TX, and Delmas Luedke and wife Roberta of Kent, WA; numerous nieces, nephews, other loving family members and friends. A memorial service will be held at Emanuel's Lutheran Church in Seguin, Texas on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Paul J. Zwarich officiating. His ashes will be interred in the Emanuel's Lutheran Church Columbarium. Memorial contributions can be made to Emanuel's Lutheran Church, 206 N. Travis, Seguin, Texas, 78155 or Hope Hospice, 611 N. Walnut Ave., New Braunfels, Texas 78130 .