Oscar Lupkes

Oscar Melvin Lupkes passed away peacefully at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton on December 14, 2019 at the age of 95.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton with Rev. Michael Breach officiating. Organist will be Sara Lee Rinke with special music by Dennis Johnson.

Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Military Rites will be provided by the Merton Dale American Legion Post #80. Pallbearers will be Michael Koci, Eugene Borsheim, Walter Schmidtke, Ralph Lupkes, Randy Olson, Lyle Lupkes and James Lupkes Sr. Honorary Pallbearers will be Oscar’s grandchildren: Justin and Samantha Lupkes.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 17th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton. Visitation will continue Wednesday morning one hour prior to service time at the church.

Oscar was born on September 19, 1924 in Dike, Iowa the ninth of twelve children born to George Sr. and Jennie (Barkhoff) Lupkes. The family moved to Wheaton when Oscar was four years old. He was baptized into the Christian faith on October 19, 1924 in Parkersburg, Iowa by Rev. William Paulsen and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton on April 2, 1939 by Rev. Theo. Heine. Oscar attended school district #39 in rural Wheaton through eighth grade. Oscar grew up working on the family farm with his four brothers and seven sisters. Oscar worked on the farm until he served in the United States Army in Korea from October 2, 1946 until his honorable discharge on August 31, 1947. Oscar was released on a medical discharge and returned back to the family farm in Wheaton. On November 4, 1950 Oscar was united in marriage to Merlita Jastram at the parsonage of the Catholic church in Wheaton by Pastor Kremmer. Through this union they had one son Brett.

Oscar purchased a small farm east of Wheaton where he and Merlita grew small grain, beans and corn. Oscar had some feeder cattle and pigs and sold eggs to the local store. Oscar worked on the WPA to clear trees from the White Rock channel in the winter and also ran a corn sheller around the area for local farmers. Oscar farmed with his brother Elmer for many years and finally retired in 1991. Oscar continued to help put the crop in during spring planting and fall harvest until he was ninety years old.

Oscar loved to be in the garden with his grandson and play cards with his granddaughter. Oscar never missed the time to go to the north woods to hunt with the guys and tell stories. There was never a quiet time when Oscar was around. He loved to fish with friends or family it did not matter as long as he was by the lake, summer or winter. If there was down time at the farm it was off to fish. Oscar kept the employees at the Traverse Care Center on their toes at all times.

Oscar is survived by his wife Merlita Lupkes of Wheaton; his son Brett (Gale) Lupkes of Wheaton; two grandchildren Justin and Samantha Lupkes of Wheaton; and two sisters: Frances Borsheim of Wheaton; and Irene Kaul of Rochester, MN.

Oscar was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Ole, Fred, George Jr. and Elmer Lupkes; sisters: Christina Hernvall, Tillie Koci, Hilka Schmidtke, Mary Mueller and Jeanette Olson.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to CHI Health at Home (CHI Hospice) or Prairieview Place.