Kurt E. Lucke

Kurt Edwin Lucke passed away on September 17, 2025 in Ellensburg, WA with his family at his bedside. He was born November 5, 1942 in Chicago, IL to Edwin A. Lucke and Elsie V. (Dreihsigacker) Lucke. Kurt spent his childhood in Barrington, IL.

Kurt graduated from Chicago Technical College in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Kurt and Claire Nieves were married on June 30, 1976 in Barrington, IL and had just celebrated their 49th anniversary.

At the end of 1976 Kurt and Claire moved to Seattle, WA where he worked for Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone and later AT&T. They made their first home together on Bainbridge Island where they found their church family at Bethany Lutheran Church. The lived on Bainbridge until retiring to Cle Elum, WA in 2003.

Kurt loved projects of all sorts. He loved to build things and he and Claire built their second home on Bainbridge and later their home in Cle Elum. He always had a sense of curiosity and wanted to know how things worked. His greatest joy was to help family and friends when they had a project. He shared his knowledge of wiring, plumbing and auto mechanics and was happiest when out tinkering in his workshop.

Kurt and Claire loved to travel. They have seen much of the United States and particularly loved spending time in Hawaii. After retirement they traveled to New Zealand, Australia and Europe.

Kurt loved the mountains and he loved his home in Hidden Valley. He loved his wife and his children and his grandchildren. He loved his dogs and he loved his friends.

Kurt is survived by his wife Claire, daughter Jenny Humphrey (Josh) and son Adam Lucke (Claire). His greatest gifts were his grandchildren Leo Ben Humphrey, Isaac Edwin Humphrey, Edith Jane Catania and Virginia June Lucke. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Memorial Gathering will be held at 2:00 pm on November 22, 2025 at Swauk-Teanaway Grange, 1361 Ballard Hill Rd., Cle Elum, WA 98922. Kurt’s ashes will be inurned in the Bethany Lutheran Church Columbarium later this year.

Memorials may be sent to Swauk-Teanaway Grange Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 401, Cle Elum, WA 98922.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com