The Luke Bathke Special Education Fund supports students with special needs and memorializes Luke Bathke's short, yet incredibly joyful life.

Luke was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder marked by significant delays in growth and development, intellectual disability, and seizures. His birth family was told he wouldn't live more than six months, and before long, they realized they couldn't meet Luke's many critical needs and the demands of his hospitalizations and home care.

At the time, Vonnie Bathke was a CNA with the Chippewa County Public Health Department and had been visiting Luke and his family twice weekly. She and her husband, Charles, had raised their four children-two adults and twins who were nearly through high school. They decided to adopt Luke to give him the best chance for a life with meaning no matter the outcome.

"It wasn't easy for any of us, but the things you have to do for special needs children are just different," said Vonnie. "It took Luke and I a bit to figure out how to communicate, but somehow we did it. He had such a sweet sense of humor and he loved to cuddle."

Luke's fragile immune system kept him homebound in the early years. His teachers and therapists went to him, and when he was able to attend school, Vonnie went along. Eventually, Luke was placed in a special education classroom at the Chippewa Falls Middle School.

At that point, I never worried about him because he was with his teacher, Deb Bembnister," said Vonnie. She was Luke's greatest cheerleader."

It was commonplace for Luke's peers to want to spend time together with him. When Luke showed up, students and teachers would greet him with smiles and cheers, and Luke would respond with a highly contagious, full-body giggle. Luke learned how to bowl with accommodations and had such great fun doing it. In 2003, he was named Athlete of the Year by the Chippewa Falls Special Olympics. His bowling nickname? Tasmanian Devil.

"He shared so much joy and love you couldn't help but feel it when you were around him," said Deb. "He touched the hearts of everyone he met, from peers to adults, across our school community and beyond. Luke had the richest life with Charlie and Vonnie."

In 2005, Luke passed at the age of 15, and shortly after, the Luke Bathke Special Education Fund was created. Luke's life was full of diverse, life-enriching experiences. This fund will open doors and provide opportunities to special needs children that may not otherwise be available to them.