Flora Lubke

Flora Mary (Hall) Lubke, 90, passed peacefully with family at her side on September 9, 2020, at Elm Crest Manor, New Salem.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, September 14, 2020, at St. Pius V Catholic Church, New Salem, with Fr. John Guthrie celebrating.  Burial will be at St. Pius Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 5 pm on Sunday, September 13, 2020, at Buehler-Larson Funeral Home, Mandan, with a parish vigil at 5 pm.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

Flo was born March 1,1930, to James Hall Sr. and Sarah (Fredericks) Hall in Elbowoods, ND.  She was an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes and was a Hidatsa.  Flora was born into the Low Cap Clan “Aphu’hgawigaa” and a child of the Dripping Dirt Clan “Awaxe”.  The Hall family lived and ranched along the Little Missouri River.  Some of her fondest memories were growing up on the river bottom and she spoke of it fondly and frequently.  Flo graduated from Elbowoods High School in 1949.  She then moved to CA where she worked and attended college while living with her sister, Evelyn, and family.  On January 26, 1953, she married Arnold W. Lubke.  They settled in El Cerrito, CA and later moved to Cupertino, CA to raise their two children, Michelle and Mitchell.

Flora was a stay at home mom.  Nothing gave her greater pleasure than being a mother, aunt, sister, and daughter.  When Michelle and Mitchell were both in school, she too went back to continue her education.  Receiving her AA degree from DeAnza College, she continued on at DeAnza because she thought driving the CA freeways to San Jose University was terrifying.  She soon overcame that and continued on to receive a BS and master’s in business education.

Flora was the Director of Indian Education for Fremont Union School District until her family moved back to ND in the fall of 1979.  She and her husband, Arnold, owned and operated the True Value Hardware store in Killdeer, ND.  After closing the store in Killdeer, Flo took a position with the Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College in New Town, ND as the Director of Adult Education, where she helped many young and old continue their journey of learning.  Hard work, ethics, and a strong belief in a good education were very important to Flo.  She retired to stay home for a time with her loving husband until his death in 2001.

She loved her family spending time with each one of them.  Her grandchildren were the sparkle in her eye, but when the great grandkids were around, nothing else mattered but them.  She was always wanting to give them a little money for their pockets or to buy them something.  She enjoyed reading to them, cuddling with them, and giving endless kisses.  They all called her Grandma Greats! A much-deserved title for a Great Grandma!

Recently when Flora was asked what she was most proud of, her reply was “My wonderful family”.  A life lived full of love given by her to all she came in contact with as family or beloved friends.

Blessed to have shared in her life is her daughter, Michelle (Barry) Schulz, New Salem and grandchildren, Keely Spilde (Russell Graves), New Salem, Shandi (Kenny) Franklund, Wilton, and Tyrel (Debbie) Schulz, Almont; 6 great grandchildren, McCoy Spilde, Henry and Ulane Franklund, Arlene, Renly, and Josie Schulz; her son, Mitchell (Cathy) Lubke, San Jose, CA and grandchildren, Jessica and William Lubke, both of San Jose, CA; her sister, Rosella LittleSoldier, Beulah; sister-in-law, Jean Hall, Bismarck; brothers-in-law, Malcolm Bruce Sr., Bismarck and Bill Davy, Watford City; many nieces and nephews; as well as dear friend, Angie Doll of Elm Crest Manor.

Flora was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold Lubke; her parents; brothers, William (Billy), Leland, James Jr. (Bud), Mervel, Jake, and Ed Hall; sisters, Evelyn Banks, Audrey Davy, and Dena Bruce.

“There is no way to thank all the people who touched Mom’s life in the last 5 years, but I know in my heart that if there are angels on this earth, they work at Elm Crest”. ~ Michelle