Luke Baade, 32, of Elkader, passed away on April 20, 2022, after battling leukemia for almost three years. Though challenging, Luke remained positive and never gave up fighting the disease. In his mind, he won every time he overcame the obstacles thrown his direction to give him more time with his family.
Luke was born at the Elkader hospital on March 24, 1990, to Daryl Baade and Ronda Martin (Swenson). He was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church, Elkader, IA.
During High School, Luke participated in basketball and golf and kept his love of sports throughout his life. Watching him enjoy the game took on a whole new meaning, especially when he had money on the line. He was able to take pleasure in watching the Denver Broncos live on a recent trip to Colorado.
Growing up, Luke was always the joker and very theatrical in his everyday life. He was the perfect complement to Catherine Ann Keppler who he married on September 10, 2011. The date was chosen to make it easy for him to never forget their anniversary.
Two children were born to this union, Ace and Layla Baade. Luke could often be found showing his children how to enjoy life and what it has to offer, no matter the challenge. They enjoyed time together working on their hobby farm, building igloos and snowmen, playing catch, driving the ball, and simply cuddling on the couch.
Luke loved to be with friends and have a good time, but knew the meaning of working hard. He helped with the dairy cows growing up, installed miles of fence at Palas Fencing and was proud to be employed at West Union Trenching where he ran the drill for underground boring.
Surviving Luke are his wife, Catherine Baade, of Elkader; children Ace and Layla Baade; his mother Ronda (Dennis) Martin; sisters Sadie (Matt) Herman and Paige Baade (Francisco Saldivar); brother Pharis Martin; grandmother Erma Swenson, grandfather Cletus Baade; in-laws Paul and Lori Keppler; sister-in-law Michelle (Josh) Hall; brother-in-law Steven (Lauren) Keppler.
Luke was preceded in death by his father, Daryl Baade; grandmother Zala (Schultz) Baade, grandfather Marlin Swenson.
In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations to be made to the three foundations that impacted Luke during the last three years of his life.
https://averyfndtn.org/
https://www.v.org/
https://bethematch.org/
Visitation: 3 to 6 PM on Sunday, April 24, 2022, and one hour before Service time on Monday, April 25 – both at St. Joseph Catholic church in Elkader
Funeral Service: 10:30 AM on Monday, April 25, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader. Rev. Margaret Yackel-Juleen and Rev. John Haugen will officiate.
If you are unable to make the services, but would still like to celebrate with us, it will be live streamed on https://vibrantcatholic.com/live-streaming and on the Emmaus Pastorate Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/EmmausPastorate.
Inurnment: Will be held at a later date
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family.