Jeffrey S. Luenenberg was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on May 30, 1957 and died of lung cancer at Rideout Hospital in Marysville, CA on October 20, 2017. Because his father Don Luenenberg was an Air Force pilot, Jeff and his family moved from Nebraska to California to Alabama to California to Louisiana to the Upper Peninsula, Michigan and finally back to California, all before Jeff's senior year in High School. In his youth, Jeff was an active Boy Scout. Later, Jeff became a great guitar player, karaoke singer, water skier, and crazy motorcycle rider. He graduated from Yuba City High School and CA State University, Chico, with a major in Psychology and a minor in Business. While attending Chico State, Jeff was an active member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, where he met lifelong friends.
Jeff's sense of humor always kept people laughing, and made him friends wherever he lived. And live he did. After graduating from Chico State, Jeff worked In Chignik, Alaska, refueling fishing boats for three years. In the off-season, Jeff traveled the world. In one year, he went to Australia, where he became an accredited deep sea diver. He then traveled on to Bora Bora, Tahiti, Fiji, and Hawaii.
Jeff settled in Petaluma, California, and married his first love, Betty Medeiros. Jeff and Betty later divorced but remained lifelong friends. Jeff obtained his general contractor's license, and worked on projects all over northern California. Jeff was involved in Project Warmth, wherein people in the building industry sold raffle tickets, with the winner receiving free home upgrades. The proceeds from the raffle tickets provided Christmas dinners and toys for many families in need. Every year at the Project Warmth Show, Jeff read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" on stage. During this time in Petaluma, Jeff lived with his second love Karin Gendron for several years. Eventually, they parted ways but remained lifelong friends, as well.
After selling his home in Petaluma in February 2017, Jeff bought an RV and traveled to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, visiting friends and seeing the sights.
Jeff will be remembered for his fine craftsmanship, lovely guitar playing, thoughtful cards and perfect gifts. We also remember Jeff's impersonations of Popeye, The Three Stooges, Yosemite Sam and others. Jeff always said, "People can laugh at me or with me, either way is fine." He also told people, "Have a nice day, I insist."
Jeffrey was predeceased by his father, Donald Luenenberg. He is survived by his mother, Diane Luenenberg Bevacqua (Tony), sisters Tracy Titus (Terry), and Wendy Harvey; niece Leah Titus (Dima Koshutin), nephews Nicholas Harvey, Jacob Harvey and Jesse Titus (Mariah), great nephew Jakob Titus and great niece, Erin Titus.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 pm on November 5th at the Anderson home. Please call Wendy at 530-632-4570 for directions.
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Published in Appeal Democrat from Oct. 24 to Nov. 3, 2017
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