Obituary of Roderick George Luebchow

Rev Roderick (Rod) George Luebchow of Maplewood, MN passed away peacefully on 9/6/2023 at The Pillars Hospice House in Oakdale, MN. Most knew him as a long-time foreign language instructor at St Croix Lutheran High School (now St Croix Lutheran Academy).  

He was born in Sparta, WI on February 11, 1943, to Agnes (Hubert) Luebchow and George Luebchow. He grew up on the family farm in Tomah, WI and started his academic career in a one-room schoolhouse.  Academics and learning were a high priority for Rod.  He excelled at Tomah High School, and went on to attend Northwestern College in Watertown, WI.  He developed his love of foreign languages and music, especially choir and playing organ, during his time at Northwestern and at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI, where he served as chapel organist.  During his third year at seminary, he served as Vicar at St. John Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN.  After seminary, he was assigned to two small churches in Alma City and Smith’s Mill in Southern Minnesota.  In 1973, he received a call to teach Religion and Latin at St Croix Lutheran High School in West St Paul, MN.  Here he found purpose in not only teaching foreign languages to young students, but guiding them to become living examples of their faith. Over his 40+ years at St Croix, he taught multiple levels of German, Latin, and Spanish.  He also would develop independent study courses for students who wanted to learn other languages – many times he would learn the language with them.  

He met his wife of 46 years, Linda Mae Geiszler, through his sister Nancy. Both Linda and Nancy taught at Immanuel Lutheran School in New London, WI. Linda later moved to the Twin Cities to teach at Timothy Lutheran School in St. Louis Park, MN, where students who knew both Rod and Linda bought Rod two tickets to the high school banquet and told him he needed to invite Linda to go with him. Rod and Linda were married on August 6, 1977, at St. James Lutheran Church in Saint Paul, MN.  They raised two daughters: Erin Lynn and Joelle Georgina Mae.  

Rod retired from teaching after the 2010-2011 school year and moved with Linda and their two cats to Grand Marias, MN, where they built their retirement home.  They enjoyed 10 years on the shores of Lake Superior before Rod’s health issues required them to move back to the Twin Cities area to be closer to family.  

Rod enjoyed applying his artistic and creative talents to many aspects of his family life and career.  He taught himself to play the piano and the pipe organ and played organ for church services.  And he created stories for his classes and his children/grandchildren/nieces/nephews that have been remembered for many years.   

Rod is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Kenny Dean Luebchow; sisters, Audrey Bortner and Jonelle Larson; and granddaughter, Susannah Crider. He is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters, Erin (Darrell Crider) and Joelle (Tark Spannbauer); sister, Nancy Daylo; brother, John (Sue) Luebchow; three grandchildren, Nolan, Barrett, and Arya; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at St John Lutheran Church (765 Margaret St., St. Paul, MN 55106) on Wednesday, September 13.  Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m., service at 11:00 a.m. Internment at Elmhurst Cemetery (1510 Dale St. N, St. Paul, MN 55117) and lunch at the church to follow.