Michigamme- Carol Ann (Sperberg) Luke, age 83 of 139 E. Main St. Michigamme, passed away on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at the Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee where she been a resident since 2015.

Carol was born March 25, 1934 in Stambaugh, MI to Rudolph and Flora (Marcks) Sperberg.  She graduated from Michigamme High School in 1952, the valedictorian of her class.  After graduation, Carol attended St. Luke's School of Nursing.  Carol married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Floyd Luke, on October 15, 1953 in Michigamme at the Michigamme Methodist Church.

Carol and Floyd lived in Big Rapids, MI, Granada Hills, CA, and Bloomington, MN, then returned to Michigamme in 1967 to raise their five children.  Carol was active in the community by serving as Township Treasurer. To date, she was one of the oldest members of Woodland United Methodist Church, where she was instrumental in the reinstallation of the pulpit and alter that her father, Rudolph Sperberg, had originally built for the Michigamme Methodist Church.

Carol loved being a mother, grandmother and "favorite aunt."  She enjoyed the grandchildren's activities and attended all that she was physically able.  She will be remembered for her wonderful Carmelita bars, crocheted baptism dresses, homemade baby blankets, and sleepovers complete with cinnamon toast.

Carol and Floyd are members of the Superior A's Model A Club.  She loved the day tours thru the U.P. in their 1931 Model A.

Carol was the Michigan Tech basketball team's number 1 fan!  The Lukes traveled all over to support and cheer on the team.  Her last appearance in Houghton was for Coach Luke's 401st career win in 2017.

Congenital liver disease plagued Carol since the 1980's. She received a long-awaited liver transplant at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in August 2000. April 20, 2001... Wausau Daily Herald... "I probably wouldn't be here today to write this letter if a donor card had not been signed while Mark was living.  I am forever grateful for his act of love in signing the card."  Because of the gift of life, Carol's family and friends were able to enjoy another 17 years of life with her.

In the past year, Carol was failing physically with Parkinson's disease and resided at Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee.  At Eastwood, her caregivers cared for her like she was family and we considered her caregivers as part of our family. We are eternally grateful for their genuine compassion.

Carol is survived by her husband of almost 64 years, Floyd Luke; five children: Jeff (Lee Domenick) Luke of Minneapolis, MN, Debra Luke of Bloomington, MN, Kevin (Barbara) Luke of Hancock, MI, Amy (Paul Brown) Racine of Marquette and Barbara (David) Savolainen of Negaunee; nine grandchildren: Elizabeth (Ryan) Johnston, Kara (Jonathan Valenzuela) Miles, Sara (Erin) Lavelle, Dr. Jenna (Dane) Nelson, Tyler Luke, Jessica (Andrew Urbaniak) Racine, Matthew (Tamara Brumm) Savolainen, Hailee (David Willhite) Luke, and Mariah Savolainen; three great-grandchildren: Kellie Miles, William Johnston, and Emily Lavelle; a sister Shirley Lund of Oak Park Heights, MN; sister-in-law Mary Ann (James) Villar of Marquette; brother-in-laws Cameron (Elaine) Luke of Marquette and family, Douglas Luke of Kingsford, MI and families, along with several nieces and nephews.

Carol's family will greet relatives and friends from 2:00-4:00 PM on Monday, July 10, 2017 at the Woodland United Methodist Church, US Hwy 41 in Michigamme.  A memorial service to celebrate Carol's life will be held at 4:00 PM with Rev. Lee Domenick to officiate.  A luncheon will follow the service in the church fellowship hall.  Inurnment will take place in the Lakeview Cemetery in Michigamme.

Memorials in Carol's name can be directed to the Michigamme Museum, P.O. Box 220, Michigamme, MI 49861.

Carol's obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .