Obituaries

Betty J. Luecke

Photo of Betty J. Luecke
Betty J. Luecke, 85, of Westphalia, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2019 at Capital Region Medical Center. She was born on August 20, 1933 in Folk, Missouri, a daughter of August and Cassilda (Stegeman) Kempker. She was married January 17, 1953, in Folk to Lawerence Luecke, who preceded her in death on December 3, 2002. She attended school in Folk and Jefferson City. She was employed at S.H. Kress in Jefferson City, then moved to Kansas City and worked for AT&T Telephone and Telegraph, while Lawrence was in the service. When he returned, they moved back to their Westphalia farm. She worked for 20 years at the Church Farm Correction Center as an officer and other jobs at CMCC. Betty took pride in her work and she received Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year. She was an active member of St. Ann's Lady Sodality, The Knights of Columbus Auxiliary and the Argyle VFW Auxiliary. Betty loved farming and cutting wood, she also helped out at the Annex Bar in Westphalia. She also was co-owner of Luke's Tavern in Westphalia. She enjoyed doing needlework, embroidering quilts and donating them to the parish for fundraisers. Betty had a very loving, giving heart and treasured her time with friends and family. She is survived by her three sons: Dennis Luecke (Gail) of Loose Creek, Dale Luecke of Westphalia and Dean Luecke (Amy) of Westphalia; one brother: Gerald Kempker (Liz) of Independence; sister-in-law: Rose Kempker of Folk; grandchildren: Jessica (Cap) Luebbert, Christina (Jake) Luecke, Ashly Luecke, Leslie (Sam) Barnhart and Marcus (Victoria) Struemph; great-grandchildren: Dalton Luebbert, Sean Luebbert, Hudson Barnhart, Hoyt Barnhart, Beckett Barnhart and Hattie Struemph. Betty was preceded in death by her husband: Lawrence E. Luecke; son: Daryl Luecke; sister: Ruth Holterman Lehman; brother: Virgil Kempker; and brother and sister-in-law: Robert and Lorene Kempker. Friends will be received from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at Hilke-Millard Funeral Home in Westphalia. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 14, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Westphalia with Fr. Anthony J. Viviano officiating. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy can be made to St. Joseph Catholic School in Westphalia, Missouri. Arrangements are under the direction of HILKE-MILLARD Funeral Home, 101 Linn Street, Westphalia, MO 65085. (573) 455-2424. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com

Published March 13, 2019