Emma Jane “Midge” Luebstorf
Emma Jane “Midge” Luebstorf passed away at her home, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, at the age of 91.
Emma Jane was born Oct. 13, 1932, to George and Jessie (Rank) Brown, of Boyd.
She graduated from Cadott High School and attended La Crosse State College, where she earned a degree in physical education.
After graduating from La Crosse, she accepted a job in Cadott as a phy ed teacher, where she taught for 32 years.
When girls’ competitive athletics started in the 1970s, Midge took on several coaching duties. She coached volleyball, gymnastics and track, and loved the challenges and competitiveness of the sports. For 20 years, she also taught swim lessons and acted as lifeguard at the beach in Cadott’s Riverview Park.
She and her late husband, Kenneth Luebstorf, were married in 1954. They lost a son, Danny, in infancy, but went on to raise their other three children, Kelly, Eric and Kare, in the home of their dreams that they built, overlooking the Yellow River in Cadott.
Emma Jane and Ken were always up for an adventure. Together, they enjoyed many good years, of traveling in the states and several countries in Europe, often staying in hostels. They loved taking trips, where they could go camping, hiking, biking, canoeing and skiing. For several years, after retirement, they served as hosts at a ski resort in Keystone, Colo.
Midge continued to visit their Colorado friends, and to do some skiing for several years after Ken’s passing. Her last ski adventure was when she was 87 years old.
She continued to stay active her entire life, walking daily, and joining several swim classes at the YMCA in Chippewa Falls. She was a role model to many.
Midge loved singing and always wanted to get people together, to sing all the old campfire songs she had learned in her youth. She sang with the choir at St. Rose of Lima Church and with a local group called The Happy Wanderers.
For many years, they built floats out of the Luebstorfs’ garage and entered them in the parades of small communities in the surrounding area. Midge was often the organizer (or, as we lovingly called her, “the boss”) of many of these events.
She is survived by her brother – Alvin (Joan) Brown; her children – Kelly (Susie)Luebstorf, Eric (Dawn)Luebstorf and Kare (Brent) Milas; five grandchildren – Marlayna and Viktorya Luebstorf, Rebecca, and Ben and Mitchell Milas; and two great-grandchildren – Karter and Makenna Buss; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband – Ken; and infant son – Danny.
Visitation will be held Friday, March 15, from 2-4 p.m., with a service of Christian burial at 4 p.m., with Deacon Ned Willkom officiating at Leiser Funeral Home in Cadott. A celebration of life, with a meal, will follow at Rick’s Halfway Hall in Cadott, from 5-8 p.m.
In memory of Midge, please wear your favorite pair of shoes. Inurnment will be held at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Boyd, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Cadott Fire Department: P.O. Box 99, Cadott, WI 54727.
