Lothar "Luke" Landes Obituary

Lothar "Luke" Ernest Landes (76), of Wellington, NV and formerly of Washington, IL, passed away 11/14/2023 at Carson Valley Medical Center in Gardnerville, NV after suffering chronic debilitating pain for 44 years. The Lord lifted him to re-join his loving parents, Martha (1994) & Sherman (1995) and two fur babies, Patches & Tazie.

Lothar was born June 1st 1947 in Kassel, Germany to Martha E. Rohrig and Kurt Lewin. Things still being so rough in Germany after WWII, Martha (27) left her cheating husband and emigrated to America in 1951 with Lothar (4) and one suitcase for the two of them. Martha & Lothar were sponsored by distant cousins in Peoria, IL. In return for their passage to America and room & board, Martha cooked & kept house for an older cousin, the late George Wehnes of Washington, IL.

In 1960, when Lothar was 12, Martha met and married (with Lothar's permission) Sherman F. Landes of Washington, IL. Martha & Lothar became Naturalized Citizens of the USA in 1964. At their swearing-in ceremony, Sherman formally adopted Lothar and he officially became a "Landes". Sherman was the only true father Lothar ever knew!

After graduating from Washington Community High School in 1965, Lothar became a brakeman for the TP&W Railroad until he was drafted by the US Army to serve in Viet Nam from 1966-68. He worked at Pabst Brewery and Caterpillar Tractor Co before ending up at CILCO (Central Illinois Light Co) reading meters. He loved his job there and often said that he couldn't believe he was being paid to walk in fresh air all day, visit with customers and pet lots of dogs. He had to take an early medical retirement from CILCO in 1987 due to a botched lower spinal surgery.

Lothar met Sue, his soulmate of 48+ years on May 4th 1975, while they were both on BMW motorcycles. He had to admit he was lost and asked her for directions and as they say "the rest is history!" Before moving to Nevada for a drier climate, he married long-time girlfriend, Della Sue Mizell on March 1st 1996. They lived a short time in Incline Village at Lake Tahoe, then spent 18 yrs in Minden before finally moving to rural Wellington, NV in 2013.

Lothar was an avid motorcyclist and a collector of old cars (1939 - 1969) as well as a huge fan and collector of old British & European motorcycles. A gypsy at heart, he toured the US & Canada on BMWs. He & Sue traveled to motorcycle races & rallies on their bikes. They spent many winter vacations in the Caribbean snorkeling. A great lover of animals, long walks & snowshoeing in Nevada back country.

Lothar is survived by his loving wife Sue of Wellington; one brother, Jim (Cheryl) Landes, Los Gatos, CA; one sister, Rae Jeanne Adams, Spokane, WA; three nieces and two nephews.

Lothar has been cremated with no services according to his wishes. Distribution of ashes will be at a later date. Memorials may be made to your favorite animal charity.