Dennis “Denny” J. Ludwig, 77, of Elkhorn, died unexpectedly on March 18, 2018 at Lakeland Health Care Center in Elkhorn.
Denny was born Aug. 17, 1940, in Medford, the youngest son of the late Louis and Bertha (Peissig) Ludwig. He graduated from Medford High School in 1958. He was nicknamed “Pirate” because he didn’t want to wear his glasses and often squinted.
He married the love of his life, Jeanne, on Aug. 13, 1960, in Stetsonville. They lived in Medford for about a year and then relocated to Elkhorn where they settled to raise their family.
Denny was a middle school math and science teacher for the Elkhorn Area School district for 37 years until his retirement in 1997. He was named Kiwanis International Teacher of the Year in 1989. During this time he earned a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He also had a fogging and snowplowing business and was a partner at the Elkhorn Income Tax Service.
He loved playing cards, especially Sheepshead, with teachers, friends and family and would often be found at the table putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Early on he learned to play the accordion and piano by ear. Denny and Jeanne spent many summers traveling in their motor home out west and in northern Wisconsin, visiting friends and family, camping and fishing.
His greatest joy in life was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be deeply missed by his wife of 57 years; his three daughters, Lynn (J.T.) Essex of Shepherd, Mont., Lisa (Brian) Schmidt of Elkhorn, and Lori (Erich) Reinl of Mount Vernon, Wash.; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, two sisters, Betty Fahrenbach of Rhinelander, and Marianne (Robert) Olson of Burlington, Wash. He was preceded in death by his son, Carey; and siblings, Ruth (Norman) Riemer, Lucille (Jumbo) Malchow–(Hugo) Gruny, Harold “Mickey” (Bernice) Ludwig, James (Micki) Ludwig, Arthur (Bea) Ludwig and William Fahrenbach.
Private inurnment will be at Hazel Ridge Cemetery, Elkhorn.
At Denny’s request a celebration of his life will be on Sunday, May 27, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Greenies Clubhouse, 700 S. 2nd St., Delavan.
Memorials may be made to Jeanne Ludwig, which will be presented, in Denny’s name to the Elkhorn Area High School Scholarship Foundation for a student pursuing a college education in teaching.
The family of Denny would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of caregivers and providers at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center, Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington and Lakeland Health Care Center for their wonderful and heartfelt care.
“Poppi, Dad, Grandpa, Great-grandpa, we miss you already. Say ‘Hi’ to Carey for us.”
Condolences can be made at haaselockwoodfhs.com. Arrangements completed by Haase-Lockwood and Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory Elkhorn.
