Loretta Luech

Lauretta Emma Lueck was born on March 18, 1915, in Hancock, MN to Henry and Eva (Beyer) Lueck. Rev. Mathie baptized Lauretta at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hancock in April 1915. Rev. Bartz confirmed her at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria, MN on May 12, 1929. Lauretta had one sister, Frances, and one brother, John. The family moved to Alexandria in 1922 and her father built, first a barn and then a house, on their property on the shores of Lake Victoria. Those buildings are still standing and in use today. Lauretta attended Washington School for one year and finished her schooling at Zion Parochial School. She walked to Zion School from Lake Victoria. She enjoyed the trips her family made to the Holloway, MN area to visit her Beyer grandparents and all their cousins. In her youth, Lauretta did housework for area families. She was later employed at North American, Unique Cleaners and American Launderers. Lauretta retired from American Launderers in 1980. Lauretta traveled extensively throughout the United States on bus tours and also took trips to Hawaii, Germany, Austria and Canada. Lauretta was proud of her German ancestry. Lauretta was an active long time member of Zion Lutheran Church. She enjoyed cross-stitch needlepoint and made many beautiful wall hangings and pillows. She also enjoyed gardening, growing a variety of flowers, making rosettes and giving them away, reading, fishing, playing solitaire and shoveling snow. Lauretta won ribbons at the Douglas County Fair for her peanut brittle and various needlepoint and embroidery items. She always enjoyed visiting with family and friends. On Saturday May 24, 2008 Lauretta died at the age of ninety-three years. Her brother, John Lueck, and her sister, Frances Witt preceded her in death. Lauretta is survived by her cousins and caregivers, David & Barbara Beyer of Alexandria; and other cousins. A funeral service was held Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at Zion Lutheran Church. Rev. Terry Finnern and Rev. William Moeller officiated. Irma Brockberg and Karen Gladen provided music. Interment followed in the Kinkead Cemetery. Casket bearers included David Beyer, Keith Schirm, Dennis Radtke, Robert Ruplinger, Harlow Beyer and Don Leuthardt. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.