Luecke, Ronald Jay

Ronald Jay Luecke, age 85 - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ron, who peacefully passed away on the evening of Monday, February 3, 2025, while surrounded by family at Upland Hills Health. After a decade long battle with cancer and other ailments, through which he endured with the strength of a Viking warrior and the tenacity of a cowboy, he is finally able to rest in peace.

Ron was born in 1939 in Chicago Heights, Illinois to parents Virginia and Russell Luecke. With his little sister Diane, the family moved to Whitefish Bay and then to Oconomowoc where they enjoyed everything the lake area had to offer. It was here that his generous and gregarious nature was formed. Ron loved basketball, already 6’7” by the time he entered high school and known for his left handed hookshot, he left high school with a basketball scholarship to Northern Arizona University and also later played for UW-Whitewater. He transferred to UW-Madison where he met Jean Hoffland and in 1966, Ron and Jean married. In 1970, they moved to a beautiful house in Dodgeville and had three wonderful children: Carrie, Andrea, and Randall.

Ron was a great man. We will miss his humor and compassionate spirit. He loved to tease, lighten the mood and bring people together. He had a lot of interests, including riding horses at the family’s hobby farm, reading Western novels, swimming, running, duck hunting, and fishing. He was always interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and never missed a day working out at Lands’ End. He was an inspiration for many of us. After retiring from a successful career in sales, Ron and Jean enjoyed travel and taking their entire family on cruises to tropical islands and Alaska. In recent years, Ron loved seeing his friends down at the Red Room for coffee. 

Most of all and throughout the years, Ron loved his family and friends. He was a beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Jean Hoffland Luecke; his sister Diane (Richard) Wolfe; his children Carrie (Peter) Honerbaum, Andrea Leigh Luecke, and Randall Jay Luecke; his grandchildren Elle Lauren Honerbaum, Joseph Jay Honerbaum, and Thiyya Tsul Hani; his nephews Alexander (Chelsea Nash) Wolfe and Nicholas (Lisa Harrison) Wolfe; and other family Rossignel Wolfe, Sebastian Wolfe, Oscar Wolfe, Yahya Hani, and Steven Marzocchi.

He was preceded in death by his parents Virginia Carlseen Luecke and Russell Edward Luecke.

We would like to send our most gracious thanks to the nurses and doctors at Upland Hills Health who helped care for Ron in his final days. Though we shed many tears, we shared some great big belly laughs to help carry him on his way. He was our hero and we will miss him and love him forever.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at RED ROOM BAR & RESTAURANT, 108 East Merrimac St, Dodgeville, WI.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to honor Ron’s memory please consider making a donation to Upland Hills Health, the Friends of Governor Dodge Foundation, or a charity of your choice in Ron Luecke’s memory.

Gorgen-McGinley & Ayers 

Funeral Home

www.gorgenfh.com