Leo Joseph Hupke

Leo Joseph Hupke, age 85, of Cherokee, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Cherokee Regional Medical Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 15, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cherokee. Father Daniel Rupp will serve as Celebrant, with Father David Beckman as Co-Celebrant. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Cherokee.
The Rosary and Visitation will be held at Immaculate Conception Church, Cherokee, starting at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 14, followed by visitation from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 5:00 p.m., followed by a time of sharing and remembrance.
Leo was born on May 3, 1940, in Mapleton, Iowa, the ninth child of John and Mary Rose (Uhl) Hupke. As the youngest of the family, Leo and his mother lived with his older siblings throughout his youth and college years, forming deep and lasting family bonds.
Enrolling at St. Boniface School, Leo met Sister Francis, who became a mentor and lifelong friend, guiding him through his formative years and staying in touch for more than three decades. Longtime friend and teammate Brendan Burchard, remembers "Butch" Hupke this way. "He was a "Boniface Boy', which meant he was probably tougher than most, and as our quarterback both at Heelan and at Morningside, there was no doubt who was in charge in the huddle."
Leo's years at Bishop Heelan High School set the stage for a life of service. A natural leader, he was elected Student Body President his senior year. On the field, court, and track, he was a standout athlete, earning letters in football, basketball, track, and baseball. He played football for the legendary Coach Don Fleming, who influenced his path toward teaching and coaching. Leo also dabbled in the Fine Arts at Heelan, participating in operetta, cantata, and mixed chorus. Additionally, he was a Knight of the Altar all four years.
After graduating from Heelan, Leo attended Morningside College, earning a degree in education in 1963. A standout football player, Hupke was a quarterback, team captain, and three-year letterwinner for the then Morningside Chiefs and Coach R.D. 'Dewey' Halford. Leo was inducted into the Morningside "M Club" Hall of Fame in 1973.
Leo brought the same drive and discipline he had developed as an athlete to his career as an educator and coach.
From 1963 to 1968, Leo returned to Heelan as a history teacher and coach in football, wrestling, and baseball. Leo also left a permanent mark at Heelan as the founder of the school's wrestling program. In 1969, he joined the football coaching staff at Morningside College before beginning a remarkable 32-year chapter at Cherokee Washington High School.
From 1970 to 2002, Leo served in numerous capacities, including as Cherokee's Athletic Director from 1970 to 1988, while also serving various stints as the head coach in football, boys and girls track, baseball, softball, and cross-country. His athletes knew him as a tough but caring leader who instilled discipline, respect, and belief in themselves.
Even after retiring from Cherokee, Leo's passion for coaching never faded. From 2003 to 2019, he continued as head football and head softball coach at Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn and Remsen St. Mary's, guiding and inspiring new generations of student-athletes. "Coach Hupke was a godsend for us at MMC he gave us two solid years of football, then he went on touching the lives of hundreds of athletes in a variety of sports at MMC and MMCRU." Lonnie Boekhout (AD, MMC & MMCRU)
A devout Catholic, Hupke and his wife, Kathy, of six decades taught high school Catechism. The kids loved Leo's passion for the subject and devoured Kathy's cooking. He and Kathy's passion for hospitality led to years of in-home taco feeds for athletic teams and coaching staffs. "He was always making certain, everyone felt a part of what we were trying to accomplish" Randy Schrader, (Chkee Ftball 85'-88'). Curt Klaahsen (former girls' basketball coach at Cherokee) said, "This was Coach Hupke, always thinking about others and going above and beyond to take care of and support others. Even after I left Cherokee, he stayed connected"
Leo always kept athletics in the proper perspective, "Sports is more than winning and losing," he said. "It teaches so many life lessons. It's a continuous learning process and so good for our kids. I tried to do things right, and have a positive impact on all my kids," one article quoted.
A common theme throughout Leo's career are the examples of the young people who connected with Leo. Ruth Schumacher-Martinez (WHS, '00) "Being on your team gave me a purpose and helped me find a home in a place I didn't feel like I ever fit."
Mike Mittelstadt, (MMC, '04) played QB for Leo at MMC. "Our junior year we knew we had a great team. But, in late spring our head coach resigned and for a month our guys were devastated, we didn't have a coach. I will always remember that summer day, at my grocery store job, he approached me, "Mike, I'm Leo Hupke and I've heard about you " We went on to have this amazing conversation, he was so easy to talk to, we connected right off the bat. He said he was excited, that we'd be a tough and disciplined football team, and started talking about what we'd do with the offense. It was awesome. His attitude lifted our spirits and we were back. And we knew we were back. Everyone was so excited. Coach Hupke was an answer to prayer."
Fellow Crusader and longtime friend Don Stevens shared this, "Leo Hupke was bigger than life to me. He came to visit Heelan while in college and I had a chance to meet him as a freshman. I came to know him as a person who defends those who couldn't defend themselves. He did it for me during that visit. He talked to me over the years and his real care for people was impressive to me. I had the chance to tell him how he made a difference in my life. When I was in Vietnam, I was one of the older guys, and I often remembered him protecting me and I tried to pay it forward with some of the younger guys. Leo was a real Crusader who lived his life for others."
Coach Hupke garnered many honors in his career, among them, Siouxland Football Coach of the Year in 1972 and Honorary Referee for the Sioux City Relays, Cherokee Tomahawk Relays, and Holstein Relays, Iowa High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame.
Leo and Kathy, raised four children, Amy Jo, Benjamin Fleming, Chris, and Dewey, each excelling in high school sports and remained engaged in various athletic endeavors throughout their college years and beyond. "The two greatest gifts he gave to us kids first, he loved and cherished our mom, and then the greatest gift, his love for God and his son Jesus Christ. As St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the Gospel at all times, and, if necessary, use words. This was our Dad."
Leo is survived by his biggest supporter of 60 years, Katherine Kay (Miller) Hupke of Cherokee, Ben (Lin Smith) of LaPorte City, Ia, Chris (Megan) of Watertown, SD, Amy (Jim) Schmidt of George, Ia, and Dewey (Heather) of Independence, Ia. Grandchildren Kelsey (Ricky) Vander Kooi of Hinton, Ia, Jake (Mackenzie) of Sioux Falls,, Laura (Colin) Hartman of Sioux City, Kyle Brighton of Spencer, Ia, Mackenzie of Sioux Falls, Cole of Watertown, SD, Korver of Independence, Ia, Great Grandchildren Ruby Grace and Violet Rose Vander Kooi of Hinton, Ia, and Oaklee Kay Hupke of Sioux Falls. He is also survived by sisters June Beacom of Sioux City and Margie Young of Merrill, Ia.
Leo was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings and their spouses
Delbert (Bev) Hupke, Macile (Ray) Miller, Dwayne (Dorothy) Hupke, Mary (John) Young, James Young, Robert Beacom, Monica (Bill) Johnston and sister Theresa, in infancy, and granddaughter Bailey Hupke.
Leo's legacy is one of service, leadership, and profound dedication to young people. Through 57 years, tens of thousands of young people, coaches, and school personnel, Leo remained committed to helping others succeed. His journey from humble beginnings in Mapleton to a life of service in classrooms, as well as on the gridiron, diamond, mat, court, and track, is a testament to perseverance, faith, and love for young people. His life's work left a mark on the hearts and lives across generations, communities, and schools. He will be remembered with love, gratitude, and admiration.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made in Leo's name for a Leo Hupke Scholarship Fund, supporting students and coaches. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leo, please visit our floral store.