Luke D. Rypstra

Luke Donald Rypstra, age 38, of Iron River, passed away on March 3, 2026.

Luke was born on May 20, 1987, in San Jose, CA to Donald Charles Rypstra and Theresa Elaine Rypstra. He grew up in San Jose, CA and Rochester, MN and was known for his wit, good humor, and love of his family.

He was a man of wide talents and interests. Over his career he worked at the Mayo Clinic for 12 years, Aspirus for five years, and most recently as a coffee roaster at Contrast Coffee; but his true love was his family and music. Luke served as a Music Pastor in Rochester, MN for 20 years and recently as an Associate Pastor at Calvary Chapel - Iron River where he connected music, family, community, and his love of the Lord.

Luke loved sailing, hiking in the woods, a masterfully roasted cup of coffee, smoking his pipes, an in-depth conversation about music, helping people and bringing them together especially in the sauna, but most of all his family and his church family. He wrote, played, recorded and performed music his entire life. Luke was an important member of his community in Iron River, spreading love, music, and connecting people together.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Jeanne (née Johnson); his children, Catharina Noel, Thor William, Jonathan Ransom, and Jude Thomas; his parents, Donald and Theresa Rypstra; and his siblings, Chad Rypstra (and two daughters), Brandy (Rypstra) Ivy, and husband Judah and their ten children and two grandchildren, and Nathaniel and Marielle Rypstra and their four children, as well as his grandmothers, Mary Wilk and Catharina Rypstra. He is also survived by many extended family members and friends who loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his nephew Elias Orion Ivy, his grandfather Guido Schinigoi, and his grandfather Jurjen Rypstra.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 1pm at The Windsor Center, 612 West Adams Street, Iron River MI 49935.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made for a fund for the children, https://gofund.me/09dd9aea0 

His spirit will live on in his music, the wind of Lake Superior, the smell of pines and pipe smoke, the laughter of his children and wife, and the love amongst his family and community.