Lud Oquist, age 92, passed peacefully from this life to heaven on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at Bethany Home in Waupaca.
He was born on June 28, 1929 in the town of Birch in Irma, Wisconsin, the youngest of seven children of Jonas and Anna Oquist. Following graduation from Merrill High School, he left the family farm for the Army. After serving his country, Lud bought his first bulldozer in 1953 and begin his 50-year career in operating heavy machinery, first as the owner of J. Ludwig Oquist Gradall Excavating, then working for Edgerton Construction. He retired in 2003 at the age of 73. In 1959, he married Maxine King and they were a team for almost 62 years. Lud loved Jesus most of all, then his family, then this church and many friends. In his spare time, he loved to deer hunt, ice fish, and raise money to support missionaries.
He is survived by his three children, Joanna (Greg) Kalyvas, Dale (Joni) Oquist, Diane (John) Nash; seven grandchildren: Marissa, Andrew, Anna, James, Lauren, DJ and Dawson; two adopted grandsons, Justin and Andrew; four great-grandchildren: Frank, Danny, Emma and Jonas, and countless family and friends. Waiting for him in heaven were his wife Maxine, his parents, and his siblings.
The celebration of life service for Lud will be on Friday, August 20, 2021 at First Assembly of God, 1420 Berlin St, Waupaca. The service will be at 2 p.m.; visitation from noon – 2 p.m. All memorial gifts will be directed to the missions endeavors of Waupaca First Assembly. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.