Maynard E. Lufter

The Patriarch of his family, Maynard E. Lufter, Sr., went peacefully to his Heavenly abode on Sunday afternoon, February 20, 2022, after living on this earth for 103 years, 7 months, and 6 days. He was born in Kewaunee, Wisconsin on July 14, 1918 in the city that he so loved, and lived there his entire life. He grew up in the Kewaunee home of his parents, the late Frank and Mary (Jerabek) Lufter, along with his brother, Lavern Lufter, who passed away at the young age of 26.

After graduating from Holy Rosary Grade School in Kewaunee, he attended Kewaunee High School, excelling in the school's commercial courses, as well as partaking in Chorus and Band, Drama Club, and was the Business/Stage Manager of his Senior Class play. Maynard graduated from Kewaunee High School with the Class of 1935 at the age of 16, and to his knowledge, was the last living member of his class. He is a Kewaunee High School "Wall of Fame" recipient.

After high school, Maynard began work as an accountant at Kewaunee Manufacturing. At the start of World War II, he went to work at Kewaunee Shipbuilding and Engineering Corporation as the Personnel Manager. Then in 1945, Maynard established the Lufter Insurance Agency in Kewaunee, as an independent insurance agent. He continued his insurance agency until 1980, when he retired.

In 1941, Maynard married Joyce Duescher, and together they had three children - son, Maynard, Jr. (Butch), daughter, Martie, and son, Larry. Sadly, Joyce passed away on August 1, 1970, at the young age of 55. Maynard then met and married Charlien Champine in 1972; she preceded him in death in 1982. In 1984, Maynard married Marion Esperseth and she passed away in 2018.

A lifelong member of Holy Rosary Church in Kewaunee, Maynard loved the Lord. He sang in the church Choir for many, many, many years, and directed a men's Funeral Choir at Holy Rosary for several years. He was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, and also a member of the 4th Degree Grand Knights. Maynard also was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. Maynard served the Lord as an Usher and Lector in his church for many years. For several years, after he retired, he was a Playground and Lunch Monitor to the students at the Holy Rosary Grade School.

Living in Kewaunee his entire life, Maynard was involved in many community and civic organizations. A member of the Kewaunee Lions Club for 47 years, he was the recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, for dedicated humanitarian service. He, served as a member of the Kewaunee Chamber of Commerce and the Junior Chamber of
Commerce. Maynard served on the St. Mary's Kewaunee Area Memorial Hospital Board of Directors for 25 years, and also served as member of the Board of Directors of the then State Bank of Kewaunee for many years.

Over the years, Maynard was an avid bowler, golfer (getting a hole in one), a fisherman on the big "pond", Lake Michigan, on the Bay of Green Bay for perch, and on the Canadian waters. He was also an avid game hunter, enjoying hunting in Wyoming with his friends. Maynard marched to the beat of his bass drum in many summer parades with the Kewaunee Chambermaids. He attended the Green Bay Packers "Ice Bowl”  Championship game on New Year's Eve in 1967, and enjoyed being at the Super Bowl II victory in 1968. Maynard, for many years, "klatsched" with his many friends over a cup of "kaffee" (coffee), and as recent as February 9th of this year, served the "Kaffee Klatsch" at his Assisted Living apartment.

Aside from all his civic and community involvement and pursuits for relaxation, Maynard held a very, very special place in his heart for all of his family - children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. So, so many gatherings would bring all of his family together, be it celebrating birthdays with the grandchildren - singing lots of "Happy Birthdays ", gathering together for Easter celebrations finding lots of Easter eggs, but nothing could compare to when the Patriarch of the Lufter family brought all the family together to celebrate Christmas at his house with the singing of the "12 Days of Christmas". Christmas gatherings will not be the same without our Patriarch to sing... "and a Partridge in a Pear Tree ", which was his solo line in the song. Rest assured, though, our Patriarch ("Partridge") will be singing with us from his Heavenly home.

In March of 2019, Maynard moved to Paradise Estates Assisted Living in Kewaunee and made his home there in his little, earthly abode (apartment), which is where he passed away that sunny Sunday afternoon, February 20, 2022.

The Lord blessed Maynard beyond measure with all of his 103+ years, as you have just read. He will be missed dearly by his family who love and survive him: his children, daughter and son-in-law, Martie & Jack Roubal, son and daughter-in-law, Larry & Karen Lufter, daughter-in-law, Pat Lufter (the late Butch), and step-daughter-in-law, Sally Champine (the late Bill); his grandchildren, Brent (Missy) Roubal, and Kara (Dwane) Wilke; Heather Summers (special friend, Craig), and Ryan (Bobbi) Lufter, Chad (Katy) Behrendt, Michelle (Jeff) Baranczyk, and Cory (Kara) Behrendt; Brenda (Jeff) Kleiman, Bryan Lufter, and Beth (David) Martinez; Aletha Champine (Perry), and Bradley Champine; his great-grandchildren, Evan, Noah, & Ella and Ethan, Anika, & Caleb; Savannah, Cheyenne, & Addison, and Mabel, McKenna, & Lincoln, and Colten, Clayten, Luke (Tamara), Kyle (Kristen), Samantha & Bethany; Joe, Joyce (Justin), Jacob, Jaron, & Jillene (Justin), and Tyler & Jessica, and Carl & Leyden; his great-great-grandchildren, Ella & Elijah, and Isabelle & Chloe.

Maynard was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary; his brother, Lavern; his spouses, Joyce, Charlien, and Marion; his son, Maynard Jr. (Butch); his stepson, Bill Champine; nieces and nephews; cousins and friends.

Family and friends may gather on Monday, February 28, 2022, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kewaunee from 9:30 am until 10:45am with the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am, celebrated by Msgr. James Dillenburg. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery, Kewaunee, Wisconsin. The service will be live streamed at www.holyrosarykewaunee.com. Click on "parish" and then on "watch this weeks Masses".

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn't go alone, for part of us went with you when Jesus called you to His Heavenly Home!

Go to www.buchananfh.com to send condolences or sign the online guest book.