Brunhilde K. (Ledergerber) Luken

Brunhilde Karin Luken (Ledergerber) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at the age of 86, at her daughter’s home in Westfield, MA. A long-time resident of Western Massachusetts, Brunhilde lived a life marked by warmth, dedication, and a deep devotion to God and family.

Brunhilde was born on December 19, 1938, in Saarbrücken, Germany, to the late Paul and Paula Ledergerber. After completing her education as a medical assistant, she married Lubbo Carsten Luken in St. Ingbert, Germany, on October 6, 1959. Shortly thereafter, the couple immigrated to the United States.

Originally settling in Omaha, NE, Brunhilde began a new career there first as a bookkeeper and later as an accountant for major hotels. Always open to new adventures, later years saw her and Lubbo relocating to Beloit, WI, Valley Forge, PA, West Springfield, MA, and then overseas to Kaufbeuren, Germany and Penang, Malaysia, before finally returning to settle in Massachusetts. She always embraced the challenges of her new surroundings and quickly created a warm and loving home for her family.

She was deeply spiritual and an avid student of philosophy and religion. In her later years, she cultivated her artistic talents, becoming an accomplished painter with numerous exhibits and publishing several books of her poetry in addition to writing for the Diocese of Worcester, MA Women’s Guild. Above all else, she was the loving heart and soul of her family.

Brunhilde is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years, Lubbo Luken and her sister, Sigrid Rabung. She is dearly missed by her children: son Thomas Luken and wife, Irina of Tenerife, Spain and daughters Marion Camp and husband, Ron of Westfield, MA and Carmen Smith and husband, Mark of Barkhamsted, CT. Brunhilde's legacy is also carried on by her cherished grandchildren: Tobias Luken, Artem Kolybin, Josh Klaiber and wife Sarah, Sean Bismonte and husband Rodrigo, Ryan Klaiber and wife Heather, Christopher Klaiber and wife Freida, Calli Smith, Kyle Smith, Nathan Smith and wife Amy, Victoria Camp and fiancé Mike, Jonathan Camp, and six great-grandchildren. In addition, she was predeceased by five siblings.

Services and Memorial Contributions

The funeral service will be held at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, located at 127 Holyoke Rd., Westfield, MA on Monday, October 13th at 10 am. Calling hours are at the church from 9 am to 10 am.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to: The Providence Place Legacy Fund, 5 Gamelin Street, Holyoke, MA 01040.