Oakdale - Gary Roger Ludeking, age 69, of rural Oakdale, died on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse WI, surrounded by his loving family, following a long battle with cancer.
Gary, the son of Raymond and Kathryn (Lobe) Ludeking, was born into this farming family on April 22, 1953, in Tomah, WI.
He graduated from Tomah High School in 1971. He had begun farming with his father and brother, Dale, as soon as he was old enough to help with chores. On June 18, 1977, Gary married the love of his life, Susan Georgeson. Gary’s dedication to those two things, family and farming, never wavered.
Gary’s commitment to providing for his family included taking a full time job in addition to farming. He worked as a maintenance man for the Tomah School District for 36 years and was known as “Mr. Fix-it” by many of the children. Gary came home each afternoon, spent a few minutes with his family, then joined his Dad and brother at the family farm. Gary retired from the Tomah School District in 2015 and began farming full-time with his best friend, confident, and sounding board, his brother Dale. Retirement also allowed Gary to drop in at his mother’s home any time of day whether she needed him or he needed her. Gary had a quiet faith, understanding that Heaven was secured based on his trust in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.
Gary played football and baseball at Tomah High and continued his love of sports by playing softball on many local teams and in many tournaments. That sometimes meant working extra hard on the farm in order to finish in time for a ball game. Susan often joked that their kids grew up at the ball park.
The one organization that Gary belonged to was his family. His life was lived in service to his family. He supported his children and grandchildren by attending many of their extra curricular activities, especially enjoying football and helping the kids exhibit their cattle at the Monroe County Fair. During the final year of his life, one of his greatest joys was the bond that was formed between him and his great grand-daughter, Oaklyn, as they spent each day together.
His unexpected sense of humor often surprised people. Gary was a funny guy, bringing humor and laughter to his family and friends. He was also a dedicated hunter. Yet, as much as he loved scouting for a trophy buck, his greater pleasure was taking each of his children and grandchildren on their first hunt, coaching them in harvesting their first white-tail deer.
He is survived by his wife, Susan, his children Thad (Cody) Ludeking and Amanda (Tony) Newcomb, grandchildren Thane and Zoey (fiancé Ryan) Ludeking, Bryce (fiancé Cheyenne), Ryonna, Tyne and Ryn Newcomb, and great granddaughter Oaklyn Newcomb, all of rural Oakdale. He is also survived by three sisters, Doneita Gilson, Dianne (Thomas) Griffin, Judith (Edwin) Olsen, all of Tomah, and a brother, Dale (Bonnie) Ludeking, of rural Oakdale, as well as his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Elmer and Edna (Frei) Georgeson of Camp Douglas, a sister-in-law Imogene Brasic (Robert Gutsche) of Tomah, brother-in-law Kenneth (Cheryl) Georgeson of Camp Douglas, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law, Ronald Gilson and Arvid Georgeson, nephews Larry Gilson, Richard Siess, Joshua Georgeson, and an infant niece, Pamela Gilson.
A Funeral Service will be Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Bethel Baptist Church, N9498 1st Ave, Camp Douglas, WI. Pastor Ronald Davidson will officiate. Burial will be at the Oakdale Cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited to visitation on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah, WI, and Wednesday, March 1, 2023 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church.
The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home
