Doris Luebke (Dorie), 90, of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away on August 28, 2025. She lived a life guided by her faith in God and loving devotion to her family.
Doris was born in Toney, Alabama on July 1, 1935 to the late Connie and Claudia Parker. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Jan Branham and Linda Passeur.
Doris met Harold Luebke of Arnold, Missouri while he was stationed in the army in Huntsville, Alabama. She was working at Leeds Jewelers when Harold accompanied a friend into the shop. He went back to buy cufflinks and then to pick them up after engraving. They started dating and were married on February 12, 1955 in Huntsville. They then moved to St. Louis where Harold resumed working at Monsanto.
Doris is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Harold, daughters Donna (Lynn) Packwood, Karen (Gary) Kalbfleisch, and Terri (Glen) Hardeman; adoring Grandmother to John (Melissa) Kalbfleisch, Matthew Packwood, Laura (Jared) Eggerman, Angela (Logan) Hepburn and Megan Hardeman; Honorary Grandmother to Janie Hardeman; and Great-Grandmother to Henry, Adeline, Emily, Eleanor (Kalbfleisch), Caleb, Luke, Daniel (Eggerman), and Isaac (Hepburn).
Doris’ southern hospitality was deeply ingrained. For many years, she and Harold hosted Thanksgiving dinner for the entire Luebke family until the Luebke family outgrew their home. There was never a shortage of “occasions” for smaller family groups to gather and their home was always open and welcoming. Doris enjoyed sewing and did mending and tailoring for neighbors, as well as making clothes for the girls in the early years. That later became lots of mother/daughter time circling the clothing racks at JC Penney, shopping for bargains. Doris loved to bake, and would always have sweet treats to offer when anyone visited. A meal was considered incomplete without dessert. That continued until a few years ago when her increasing blindness rendered her unable to bake anymore.
Doris was active in her church, taught Sunday School for 31 years, and loved singing in the choir. For many years she prepared food for funeral luncheons, and worked at all the church dinners serving desserts. Doris never knew a stranger and made it her mission to greet church visitors and make them feel welcome.
Visitation will be at Bethesda Church, 85 Lemay Gardens Drive, on Tuesday, September 2 from 8:30 to 10:00am; with the service at 10:00am. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Memorial Gardens, 1215 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, Missouri, 63125. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Alzheimers Association would be appreciated.
Service of Kutis South County Chapel 5255 Lemay Ferry Road.