Leone D. “Onie” Luepkes, 91, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away Friday, July 3, 2026, at DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center.

She was born March 5, 1935, in Hampshire, IL, the daughter of Fred and Anna (Hunerberg) Backhaus.

Onie worked at a restaurant in Hampshire, a factory in Genoa, she cleaned houses and later the post office in Kirkland. She was also a full time caregiver for her son Daniel, and served in the Eucharistic ministry at the First Lutheran Church in Kirkland. Onie enjoyed cooking and baking, especially cookies. She also enjoyed caring for her lawn and spending time with her grandchildren.

She married Hiram “Jim” Luepkes July 16, 1955.  They spent a lot of time traveling together.

She is survived by her grandchildren Josh (Kelly Harrolle) Luepkes of Kingston and Jenni (Ryan Joseph) Luepkes of DeKalb; great grandchildren A’lon, Andre, Lexi, Malik, Malcolm, Payton, and Kaylee; many nieces and nephews; her former daughter-in-law Kim (Thom) Littlejohn of Kirkland; and many special friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Hiram “Jim” Luepkes; her son Daniel; her parents; her sisters Mabel Perrin, Marie Fettes, Betty Diedrick and Evelyn Callahan.

The family gives a special thank you to the staff at DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Kingston Park, 32655 Five Points Road, Kingston. Interment of cremated remains will be at a later date at Maple Cemetery, in Kirkland, Illinois. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Luepkes Family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.