Leon Lutzke, age 83, a rural Valders resident, passed away on August 14, 2026, at New Day Assisted Living in Manitowoc, surrounded by his family.
Leon was born on July 10, 1943 at home in the Town of Liberty, son of the late Elton and Rita (Stahl) Lutzke. He graduated from St. Gregory High School, St. Nazianz, with the class of 1961. He then raised his horses and started his employment with Miller Implement. He married his High School sweetheart Barbara M. Schwoerer on September 2, 1963 at St. Gregory Catholic Church, St. Nazianz. Leon delivered farm equipment in the Midwest and Canada for Miller, and then at age 42 he joined Buteyn Excavating of Sheboygan and worked with his two brothers. He helped build the Kohler golf courses. After he retired in 2004, he continued working at Evenson Construction and R. Braun. Leon enjoyed traveling and went with Barb on many trips around the country. Like Barb, he was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. In service to their community, they delivered Meals on Wheels for many years. He enjoyed pulling “Yellow Fender” in local tractor pulls, and showcasing his ’67 Pontiac LeMans at the car shows in the area.
Survivors include two daughters: Lisa Lutzke, St. Nazianz, and special friend, Peter Reinertson, Laurie Lutzke, St. Nazianz; two sons and one daughter-in-law: Chris (Lynne) Lutzke, French Lick, IN, Ryan Lutzke, Cleveland; eight grandchildren Travis (special friend Nicole) Elliott, Brittani (Eric) McCabe, Nathan (fiancée Lexi) Elliott, Nicci (special friend Mark) Waniger, Austin (special friend Courtney) Waniger, CJ (Laura) Lutzke, Ethen Lutzke, Ashley Lutzke; five great grandchildren: Eli Skarda, Baylor and Brody Elliott, Holli Mae McCabe, and Beau Waniger; sister Karen Lutzke, Manitowoc; siblings-in-law Dottie (Tom) Bersch, Howards Grove, Charles (Kathy) Schwoerer, Elkhart Lake, and Lyle (Luann) Schwoerer, Valders; and special life-long friend Sonja; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Leon was preceded in death by his parents as well as his step-father Norman Brost; his wife Barbara; brothers Verlin Lutzke and Elwin “Curly” Lutzke; sister Karen Pankratz; sister-in-law Rose Ann Lutzke; and nephew Jeff “Fry” Lutzke.
The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:30a.m.until 11:00a.m. on Friday August 21, 2026, at St. Gregory Catholic Church in St. Nazianz. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00a.m. Burial will be held after Mass at St. Gregory Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are appreciated to St. Gregory Catholic Church.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the caring staffs of New Day Assisted Living and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for their care and compassion shown towards Leon and his family.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, Manitowoc, is assisting the Lutzke family with funeral arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting Leon’s obituary page at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.
