Luke Arnold Wildgrube Jr.: 1935-2008

Luke A. Wildgrube Jr., was born on September 9, 1935, in Woodland, Washington and passed away on August 9, 2008, at his home in Dinsmore, California. Luke was my Uncle.

Luke moved with his family from Washington to Humboldt County at the age of 12, 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.

Luke married his high school sweetheart Daisy Smith on April 8, 1955. He 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’s hobbies were digging in old Homesteads throughout the counties looking for old bottles and arrowheads with his family and longtime friend Max Bradley. His brother in law of Adam Smith of Fortuna, CA, and long time friends Tony Castro, also of Fortuna, Buck Fike of Arcata and Harold Uhl of Rio Dell, traveled many miles hunting and fishing together with Luke.

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

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