Bonnie Mae Luedtke

Bonnie Mae Luedtke, aged 92 years, passed away on December 09, 2025, in her home at Ivy Park of Mission Viejo, under the Compassionate Care of Heartford Hospice and Pioneer Homecare and surrounded by loved ones.

Bonnie Mae Luedtke was born to Fred and Ellen (Schwartz) Cress on May 17th, 1933, Woodside Township, Otter Tail County, MN. She attended district 141 Country School in Woodside through the 8th grade. She then went to town, Parkers Prairie, MN, and graduated from there in 1952. Her BA and teachers’ degree were earned at Bemidji State Teachers College in Bemidji MN. She spent her first-year teaching at New York Mills, MN. After getting married and moving to California, she ended up having 43 years as an educator. Something she was very proud of.

Bonnie welcomed her daughter Tammy, on March 1, 1960. After some years Bonnie married the love of her life, Clarence “Bud” Luedtke on March 29, 1968, in Pomona CA. After that they spent years working, finally retiring and enjoying life. They spent many years travelling with their motor homes, conquering all 50 states. She and Bud both had a love for Schnauzers, both Giant and Mini’s and they travelled as well. Summers were spent at their cabin on Rush Lake, Bud fishing and Bonnie frying up a mean batch of sunfish.

Bonnie loved to socialize and spent time in many Teachers organizations. Also attending her High School and College reunions as much as she could. She had a love of Bunco as well and played with a group of gals every week. Wherever she went she always had a group of friends to socialize with.

Then in 2022, Bonnie settled at Ivy Park in Mission Viejo, where she was taken care of by a very compassionate and caring group of people. She spent many days socializing there as well as playing Bingo at least twice a week.

Bonnie is preceded in death by her husband Bud Luedtke, her parents Fred and Ellen Cress.

She is survived by her daughter Tammy Jackson (William), Bud’s children: Katherine Luedtke, Debbie Digidio (John), and Mark Luedtke (Theresa), 9 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Christ Community Church of Laguna Hills or the Bemidji Alumni Assn., a group that Bonnie was very proud of.