Obituary of Lawrence Peter Lucas

Lawrence P. "Larry" Lucas, 90, of Dyersville and formerly of Holy Cross, Iowa died Tuesday, May 31 at Oak Crest Manor, Dyersville, Iowa. Larry was born on August 24, 1920, in Holy Cross, Iowa, the son of Nicholas and Elisabeth (Pins) Lucas. He married Dolores "Dolly" R. Meinen on May 12, 1942, in Holy Cross. Together they farmed near Holy Cross until she preceded him in death on December 16, 1981. He later married Dorothy H. Engling Kluesner on May 4, 1984, in Dubuque, Iowa. Together they resided in the Holy Cross area until retiring and moved to Dyersville in 2002. He was a former board member and past president of the Holy Corss - North Buena Vista Fire Association, a member of the Holy Cross Parish Council and former Treasurer, a former Iowa Township Trustee and a member of the Dubuque County Cattlemen Association. Larry loved farming and working with animals. He was especially fond of his horses and horseback riding, an activity he was able to enjoy until recently. Survivors include 8 children: Judy (John) Vonderhaar of New Vienna, IA, Tom (Ruth) Lucas of Dyersville, IA, Connie (Leon) Jaeger of Balltown, IA, Mark Lucas of Iowa City, IA, John (Bev) Lucas of Sherrill, IA, Carrie (Mike) Schmitt of Rickardsville, IA, Joe (Michele) Lucas of Lake St. Louis, MO, and Dan Lucas (Angie Phillips) of Minneapolis, MN; a daughter-in-law, Barb Lucas of Iowa City, IA; 6 step-children (Dorothy's children): Al (Jeanne) Kluesner of Dubuque, IA, Peter (Karen) Kluesner of New Vienna, IA, Jean Kluesner of Brooklyn, WI, Duane (Mae) Kluesner of Holy Cross, IA, Chuck (Donna) Kluesner of Peosta, IA, and Sherrie (Ron) Hogan of Dyersville; 25 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren; 14 step-grandchildren, 31 step-great and 2 step-great-great grandchildren, siblings: Rita Schaul of Dyersville, Ray (Vern) Lucas of Cedar Rapids, IA, Joann Link of Dubuque and Merlyn Lucas of Madison, WI; sisters-and-brothers-in-law, Cleo Steger of Dubuque, IA, Shirley (Jim) McCloy of Maquoketa, IA, Tom Manternach, and Elmer (Marilyn) Engling, of Dubuque, IA, Florabelle "Babe" Kluesner of Farley, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Dolores, his second wife, Dorothy, Siblings: Mercedes (Fred) Kluesner, Lee (Sally) Lucas, Milton Lucas and Cecelia Manternach; a step daughter-in-law, Cathy Kluesner; brothers-and-sisters-in-law: Joe Schaul, Norman Link, Phyllis Lucas, Walter Steger, Charity (Clarence) Gassmann, Viola (John W.) Kaufman, Cecelia (Russ) Gantenbein, Marie (Sylvester) Kluesner, Agnes (Herman) Steines, Lawrence (Donna) Kluesner, Merlin and Mary Catherine Kluesner. Friends may call from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 3, 2011, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a parish scripture service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 4, 2011, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, in Holy Cross, Iowa with burial in the church cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Raymond Burkle with Rev. Al Vorwald concelebrating. Memorials are preferred to DUBUQUE COUNTY RIGHT TO LIFE or HOSPICE OF DUBUQUE. The family would like to thank the staff at Oak Crest Manor and Hospice of Dubuque for the wonderful care they provided for Larry.