Rush Funeral Home Logo
Logo Image
(605) 859-2400 You can call us 24/7
Newsletter Get new obituaries by email
Search Search through the obituaries

Funeral services will take place on Friday, December 15, 2017 at 11:30 AM (Mountain).

Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, South Dakota

Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, South Dakota



Print Obituary

In memory of

Lauren Luedeman

of Wall, formerly of Custer, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at the V.A. Center in Ft. Meade at the age of 94

Lauren Edward Luedeman was born on March 18, 1923 in Eustis, Nebraska to Hans and Elva (Howell) Luedeman.

Lauren served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946. He took part in the Pacific campaign where he was awarded the Bronze Star.

After his discharge from the Army, Lauren worked for the Kerr McGee Coal Mine. He retired in 1985.

Lauren and JoAnn moved to Custer where he enjoyed taking care of livestock, both the four and two legged kind. He also began a second career from 1990 to 2012 as the conductor on the train at the Flintstone Bedrock City in Custer, SD.

Survivors include his two daughters, Judy Finnell of Holiday, FL and Lori Garcia of Laramie, WY; his son, Mike (Rose) Luedeman of Wall. Lauren was Uncle to several nieces and nephews, Grandpa to three grandkids, and Gramps to 8 great-grandchildren.

Lauren was preceded in death by his parents; his wife JoAnn on February 12, 2009; six brothers, Jerry, Jim, Wayne, and Gayle Luedeman and Kenny and George Bydalek; and a sister, Betty Studer.

Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, December 15, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE
Friday, December 15, 2017 - 11:30 a.m.
Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, South Dakota

OFFICIATING
Pastor Robert Anderson

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All of Lauren’s Relatives and Friends

  • I will really miss lauren we ment him 22 years ago at flintstones we would visit him every summer he even came out to colo to see us love you lauren may you rest in peace ~ William and Deborah Johnson Colorado (12/27/2017)
  • In remembrance of one of our greatest generation who has answered his final roll call.
    Rest in peace, Soldier.

    Custer Post #46, American Legion
    South Dakota Department     ~ Mark A. Mills Custer, SD (12/14/2017)
  • I sure did love this guy. He was so precious and sweet. ~ Norma Carson Wall (12/10/2017)
  • Thanks for serving ~ A VETERAN (12/10/2017)
  • Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, Lauren was a very special gentleman and will be missed by those whose lives he touched. Rest in Peace Lauren, we will all miss seeing you and visiting with you was such a pleasure. ~ Dale & Penny Baumann Quinn, SD (12/8/2017)
  • "Gramps" will be missed by all who new him. He is now happily re-united with Joanne. Our deepest sympathies to his family. We love you "Gramps"!! ~ Kevin & Jan Wenzel Quinn, SD (12/8/2017)
  • We only knew him a short while, but he became a friend quickly. I do and will miss him. ~ David Jones Prairie Village, Wall, SD (12/8/2017)
  • Another fine man has been called to his Heavenly home & will be missed by many. I was privileged to work with Lauren & Joann at the Mountain Music Show in Custer, SD & hold many wonderful & fun memories of those years. Lauren was central in creating wonderful memories for countless youngsters who visited Flintstones Bedrock City where they rode the train with Engineer Lauren at the controls. Your time here on earth was memorable, but your rest is well deserved. God bless you, my friend. ~ Marcia Eisenbraun Custer, SD (12/8/2017)