Verna Mae Lueck, 93, of Dyersville, Iowa, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Mercy One in Dyersville surrounded by her family.

Private family visitation will be held at Reiff Funeral Home in Dyersville, where a private funeral service will follow with Rev. Phillip Agyei. Burial will follow in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Dyersville.

Verna Mae was born October 3, 1931 in Petersburg, Iowa, the daughter of Anton “Tony” and Marcella (Kruse) Putz. She received her education at Petersburg school. On January 21, 1954, she was united in marriage to Donald W. Lueck at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Petersburg.

Verna Mae and Don owned and operated a dairy farm west of Dyersville. Verna Mae loved life on the farm, especially tending to her large garden and working with her beloved cows. Her strong work ethic, perseverance and heart of gold have made a lasting impact on all who loved her. Verna Mae was a devoted wife and the most loving and nurturing mother, grandma and great-grandma. Her family and her “kids” were her entire life. They will cherish so many memories, including her hand-written letters, her birthday roses, her never-ending candy tray, family gatherings with her famous deviled eggs, competitive games of Old Maid, her joyful laugh and her healing hugs. Everyone deserves to have a ‘Grandma Verna’ in their life and we were so blessed to have had you. We’ll love you, “forever more”.

Verna Mae is survived by her husband, Don; one daughter, Joyce (Jerry) Tucker of Dyersville; three grandchildren, Janelle Tucker of Dyersville, Jill (Jim) Mitchel of Dyersville and Jeff Tucker (special friend, Kindra) of Davenport; three great-grandchildren, James, Lauren and Logan Mitchel; four sister-in-laws, Agnes Putz of Dyersville, Grace Putz of Cedar Rapids, Ruth Willenborg of Dyersville and Judy Putz of East Dubuque, Illinois; and many nieces, nephews and godchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Pearl (Alvin) Gaul and Alice Putz; five brothers, Walter Putz, Harold Putz, Fred Putz, David (Delores) Putz and Jerry Putz; her father and mother-in-law, Aloysius and Emma (Klaus) Lueck; and in-laws, Marilyn (Paul) Schaul, Delores (Julius) Recker, Sally (Ray) Langel and Fred Willenborg.

The family of Verna Mae would like to thank Mercy One Dyersville, Fr. Chris Podhajsky, Fr. Agyei, the Iowa City VA Clinic, Regional Medical Center and especially Mary, Skylar and Dr. Snyder.

An online video may be viewed and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com.