Stories about Donald

Nancy Levin, Fox Point, WI

In the mid 1950's, at 53rd Street School, "Mr. Luebke" II was my remarkable teacher. So remarkable that I have fond memories of what he taught and how he made the dullest of subjects so interesting. What fun I had leaning how to square dance in the school's hallway. Oh how thrilled I was to be his partner when he introduced a new dance move. Mr. Luebke was a superior academic and a memorable role model for so many students.
My sympathy to the Luebke family.

​

Yvonne Audi

He was a very close friend of my parents for 40 ish years and my principal for two.

Sad to hear of Don's passing. He was an important person in my childhood. Joanne and Russ Audi (my parents) were very good friends. I have wonderful memories of many summer barbecues at the house on North Lake. Don's kids taught me how to sail and water ski. My parents hosted many parties for Steuben staff over the years. During big snowstorms, I would never know who would be sleeping on the couch when I woke up. One morning I was not very surprised to see my principal (yep, Don) having coffee in the kitchen with my parents. Snowstorm was too big for him to drive home the night before. The last time I saw Don was at my dad's funeral in 2009. He was a great guy and will be fondly remembered as caring a great deal for all MPS students.

​

Dorothy Schulz

Thank you for making my life so wonderful. It was with your concern and determination that many of us got through a day and a year! I sent my letter to you while you were alive because I wanted you personally to know how I felt. You were such a special person and now a wonderful and fond memory. Thank you for everything. I still have a copy of the letter and will always read and remember you.

​

Andrea Frankenberry 

My first teaching job was at McKinley Elementary School in MPS, and Don was my principal. Ever-supportive and encouraging, he made those initial challenging years a great learning experience. He took a few of us with him to Steuben Middle School where he created another positive educational environment. Soft-spoken, but a strong leader, he earned the respect and admiration of his staff. If not for the medical crisis in our country today, his funeral would be flooded with well-wishers. He leaves a great legacy for his family.

​

In 1972, Don hired me to fill the position of Head Secretary at Steuben , where I remained until retiring after 25 years of service. He showed fairness and kindness to students and staff and was also kind to the office staff who could be a little over exuberant at times! I’m happy to say I’m still friends today with several who are special in my life...Rosemary Ries, Sheran Grant, Maxine Carlson and Tammy Nemoir. Don will be sorely missed! Farewell dear friend!

P.S. Many probably don’t know this but Don could turn out the most delicious, succulent turkey imaginable! His dad taught him well!

​

 

Mr. Luebke,

Thank you for:

- always being available to listen to teacher concerns,

- implementing new educational programs that were beneficial to teachers and students.

On a personal note, I will be forever grateful to you, for procuring for me, a new lifetime teaching license that allowed me to teach grades 6, 7, and 8, along with my secondary license.

This allowed me to remain at Steuben Middle school until retirement.

​

 

I had the privilege of working with Don for three years. As a first year teacher everything can be overwhelming but with Don’s steady presence it was a great first year. He always had the attitude that you were going to do your job and do it well. He didn’t micromanage and was always supportive of new ideas. I always felt comfortable going into his office and sharing ideas that I had. His attitude was “Give it a try”. If it doesn’t work you can try something else. Through the years Don became a treasured friend with his quiet wit and warmth. The world was a better place with Don in it!

​

 

The day that I walked into a Milwaukee middle school for my first teaching assignment, I couldn’t have been more anxious. However, I was greeted by a lean, trim gentleman with a genuinely welcoming smile that immediately relieved my anxieties.  Don Luebke, my principal, whom I quickly learned, was a kind and accepting mentor who led our school with a “we are a family team” attitude.  Mr. Luebke was a man of smiles, laughter,intellect, fun, warmth, quiet confidence, and acceptance of all.  I consider myself very blessed to have had the privilege of learning from him early in my teaching.

 

I will always think of Mr. Luebke as a delightful and caring individual.  Gentle reminders of his influence have always been in my life and will continue to be.  As I look at the stars of the sky, I am reminded of the twinkle in his eyes.  It is as if he is smiling down on us saying, “I am ok and you will be, too...until we are together again”....Love and prayers to you, Mr. Luebke...

 

In my 30+ years in M.P.S. the best principal that I ever worked with was Don Luebke. He was very fair, innovative, a real mentor, and leader that let teachers and staff explore options in their teaching styles and curriculum. He was always honest in all of my meetings with him. He let me and other Steuben staff explore future career growth with his total support and additional help. In retrospect, it was a real honor to have known Don and worked with him during my years at Steuben.
 

 

Thanks for the news even though of a sad nature. Don was the best principal that I worked for in all of my years in M.P.S., and I worked for a lot of them. I was very, very lucky to end up at Steuben at that time and work for such a great boss. I forwarded Rosemary R. your information. She has a great Steuben email chain and will contact people. I am sure everyone has some great memories of Don and his success at Steuben. I hope all is really well with you, Maggie, and the entire McGinnity family. It is going to be one long haul.
                                                                 Wayne

 

Sad news. Loved working for him. He was a great principal and leader. He was respected by all. He was fair, listened to concerns, allowed and encouraged creative ideas. I know you were very close to him and am sorry for your loss. I am sorry for all of our loss. It was an honor to have known and work for the man. Thanks for letting us know. Stay safe and praying we can all get together soon,

Ed

Don was a breath of fresh air when he arrived at Steuben Junior High. In his second year as our Principal, he changed the structure at Steuben from a junior high to a POD educational group middle school. Unit 7A-Eileen Lust, Corrine Love, myself and 90 seventh graders were put together to learn English, social studies, and math and to form a closer educational bond.7A and the other units at Steuben that he and Russ Zimmer formed (along with the coordination of two other schools in the state of Wisconsin) began what soon became the standard middle school structure state-wide.

 

In 1979 Don assigned me as an Assistant Administrator.  Don mentored me that year.  What I learned from him that year set me up for the majority of my professional career as a successful school administrator serving the students of Wisconsin. Thanks Don