Luke A. Wildgrube Jr.

Luke Arnold Wildgrube Jr.

Luke A. Wildgrube Jr., was born on September 9th, 1935, to Luke and Dorothy Wildgrube in Woodland, Washington. Luke passed away on August 9th, 2008, at the age of 72 years sleeping in his favorite chair at his home in Dinsmore, California.

Luke moved with his family from Washington to Humboldt County at the age of 12 years, were he attended grade school at Cuddyback School in Carlotta. In 1952 his family moved to Dinsmore, Luke then commuted from Dinsmore to Fortuna just to attend Fortuna High School, graduating with the class of 1953. He changed many flat tires, and walked many miles when the car broke down or ran out of gas, and occasionally sleeping in old barns along the road side.

On April 8th, 1955, Luke married his high school sweetheart Daisy Smith; together they began their journey of life.

Luke spent many years working in the local lumber industry ranging from running the Debarker, working the Green Chain, finally ending his career as a Lumber Shipping Clerk. In June 1978, Luke went to work for the Trinity County Road Department. He worked as a Road Maintence Worker III, Heavy Equipment Operator and Truck Driver until he retired in September 1997.

Luke enjoyed fly fishing in the local area lakes, rivers and streams. He didn’t care how far he had to travel or walk to catch the fish. Since Luke was a young lad he enjoyed all types of hunting, spending time in the outdoors, but most important to him was spending time with his family and friends. Adam Smith his brother in law of Fortuna, CA, and long time friends Buck Fike of Arcata, CA, and Tony Castro of Fortuna, CA, traveled many miles hunting and fishing together with Luke. Longtime friend Harold Uhl of Rio Dell and Luke always had the out of state stories of their hunting trips together from Idaho and Montana.

Luke’s hobbies were digging in old Homesteads throughout the counties looking for old bottles and arrowheads with his family and longtime friend Max Bradley. He was a generous hearted man, always ready and willing to give a helping hand for anybody in need. It did not matter if it was cutting firewood or clearing snow covered driveways, or opening his home to foster kids in need of a loving home, he was always there.

After his retirement from the Trinity County Road Department Luke took the easy life by watching all the sports he could find on TV with one of his little dogs on his lap. “If mom could have gotten her hands on the remote, you know what would have happened.”

Luke was preceded in death by his father, Luke A. Wildgrube; his mother, Dorothy Wildgrube Harkey. He is survived by his wife, Daisy Wildgrube of 53 years; his son, Neil Wildgrube, wife Kathy, son Travis of Rio Dell, CA; daughter, Nadine Hartman, husband David, their children Luke and Lisa Hartman of Fortuna, CA; and youngest daughter, Marilyn Wildgrube of Dinsmore, CA. Brother-in-law, Ozzie Smith, wife Joanne; sisters-in-law, Emma Mendes, husband Albert, and Barbara Smith; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dad we all know how to survive, because of you and your survival techniques. No matter how stuck we got or how far away from home we were, you always helped us get back safe. For that we will always be grateful.

Per Luke’s request their will be a Pot Luck Memorial on Saturday August 23rd, 2008, at the Ruth Lake Community Service District on the Van Duzen Road, Dinsmore, California, across from the Southern Trinity High School - from 12pm noon to 4pm.

In lieu of flowers please send your contributions to the Southern Trinity Area Rescue (STAR), P.O. Box 4, Mad River, California 95552 in Memory of Luke Wildgrube. Arrangements entrusted to Goble’s Fortuna Mortuary, Inc.

Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com, click on obituaries.