Alva J. Luepke

Alva J. Luepke, age 88 of Sun Prairie, died Thursday, March 23, 2017 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. Alva was born on June 4, 1928 in rural Columbia County the daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Smedema) Wiersma. After raising her three children, she was united in marriage to Leonard Shoberg in 1976 in Waupun, Wisc. He preceded her in death in 1978. Alva (Elgersma) worked for the National Rivet Co. and the Fond du Lac County Dept. of Social Services. She then became a volunteer for AARP as a Community Specialist in Hayward, Wis., and retired from Walmart in 2015. Alva was united in marriage to Elroy Luepke in 1989 in Spencer, Wis. Together they enjoyed their lake home in Hayward, where fishing became her favorite sport. Alva and Elroy enjoyed spending winters in Florida. Elroy preceded her in death in 1994. Alva enjoyed traveling to the Netherlands, her father’s birth place, and various other destinations. Alva was a member of the Hope Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac. Alva is survived by her children, Betty (Matthew) Murphy of Poynette, Esther (Harvey) VanRuiswyk of Waupun and Meldon (Velma) Elgersma of Pardeeville; her grandchildren, Dean (Mary Beth) Beekman, Janel (Steven) Day, Brad (Dawn) VanRuiswyk, Christine (Jeremy) Van Buren, Ross (Heather) VanRuiswyk, Chadwick (Kara) Elgersma and Jason Elgersma; numerous great grandchildren; her brother, Ardie (Pat) Wiersma of Kingston; nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. Alva was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, an infant grandson Mark VanRuiswyk, her sister Beulah (Charles) Westra, her two brothers, John (Katie) Wiersma and Joseph (Marie) Wiersma. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. in Friesland Cemetery with Rev. Steve Huff officiating. A fellowship will follow in the Cambria Fire Dept. community center in Cambria. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hope Lutheran Church, 260 Vincent St., Fond du Lac, WI 54935, in memory of Alva Luepke. The Kratz-Smedema Funeral Home in Cambria is serving the family. For more information or online condolences, please visit www.kratzfh.com.