Caleb Luke

Madison - Caleb Michael Luke crossed the bridge from life to death on October 18, 2022, at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg. His death was related to injuries sustained in a fall on September 28.   He was the son of Pat Kelly from Madison and Carter Luke from Sandwich, Massachusetts.

Caleb was born in La Crosse on May 9, 1977, and he lived on a farm in Bangor, Wisconsin, until 1983, when he moved to Madison. He graduated from Madison West High School in 2005. During his school years, he was part of a pioneering group of students with disabilities.

As a child and an adult, Caleb was a shining star, filled with joy, who had many pleasures in his life. He especially loved to cruise the streets of Madison with Pat or his step-father Dave or Luke driving, and he would laugh out loud any time he crossed a bridge or went through a tunnel.    He also loved swings, and he could chase bubbles wafting in the wind all day long. He loved swim-walking at the Lapham pool.   And he vacationed every summer for 28 years with Luke at the Dells.   Music was always special to Caleb too, especially the Suitcase Band (the Rolling Stones), Cat Stevens, James Taylor, and Linda Ronstadt.

Caleb was fortunate to own his own home. What a difference that home made in his life! Moving Out was a vitally important in the acquisition effort.   Pat and Luke wish to express enormous appreciation for “Dreamweavers,” the organization who oversaw and provided Caleb’s 24/7 home support.   Their Executive Director, Heather Schaller, and Catherine Buerger, Caleb’s case manager, are true superstars of our community.   Catherine has been especially important to Caleb, being involved in enhancing his quality of life for over 20 years.   Maryam Kobo, his full time live-in caregiver (and friend), is a charter member of the “Caleb Hall of Fame.”  She is a person filled with kindness, and she’s a great cook too! Pat and Luke also deeply appreciate Hal and Dean who are other members of Caleb’s Dreamweaver team. Caleb’s roommate, John K, was his buddy for many, many years.

Caleb worked part time for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for over 25 years.   Pat and Luke have many people to thank for helping to enrich Caleb’s full life in our community, and we are especially grateful to Kim Knoft-Blanchet and Vickie Roloff of Progressive Community Services.

Caleb was fortunate to have many, many dear friends and people who were special to him.   Family members include his aunt, Chris Haskell (and her sons Jake and Ben and her husband, Bob); his aunt Kathy Koelsch (and her children Kevin, Ken, and Alyssa); Pat’s husband (and Caleb’s ace chauffeur), Dave Benton; Luke’s wife, Penny Schiller; aunts Sandy Luke and Claudia Luke of Phoenix; and uncle David Luke of New Jersey.

Caleb’s friends gave so much care, love, and support to him and to Pat and to Luke. There are too many to list, but at the very top of that list are Terri Johnson and Roy Froemming, who have been there for Caleb for well over 30 years. It’s impossible to imagine two better friends than these two. Over the years, Caleb had a lot of other special friends, especially Jean Weber of La Crosse whose known him for over 30 years, and people from all over the Midwest who knew and greeted Caleb for so very long whenever he was at the Dells.

Donations in Caleb’s memory may be made to Dreamweavers, 612 W. Maine St. Suite 303, Madison, WI  53703.

Our community here in Madison is a truly amazing blend of people who contribute to the well-being of all.   Caleb was so fortunate to live here. And in his own ways, Caleb gave back to his community too. He will truly be missed. Yes, Pat and Luke can’t imagine life without him, but he is in our hearts and he will be with us always and forever.

And a final message from Caleb to his community and his friends:

“It’s all GOOD STUFF!”

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Road

(608) 238-3434