Obituary of Verdie Lucke

Verdie Doris Abbott Lucke was born in Shelby, Nebraska on Nov. 26, 1915 to Leonard and Eunice Abbott. When the family moved to Burlington, CO, in 1920, the children attended country school and then high school in Burlington. Mom always had interesting stories of her childhood and growing up on a farm, just ask any one of her grandchildren. She met Harry Lucke when she was 19 and they were married May 20, 1934 in Littleton, CO. They then came back to Burlington, where they ran a gas station, grocery store and worked on their farm. To this union, their daughter Joyce was born on July 8, 1938. Then on Oct. 25, 1944, they welcomed their son Ed. The family moved to their ranch North of Kit Carson in 1948. They lived on the ranch until 1979, when Harrys’ health was failing. They then moved to Sharon Springs, KS to be near Joyce and her family. In 1982, while visiting their son Ed in MO, Harry suffered a stroke and was placed in a nursing home. Mom stayed in Missouri for a while, but eventually moved back to Burlington where she lived until her death. She is survived by her daughter Joyce and Mike Taylor of Edson, KS; Daughter-in-law Rita Lucke, and 7 grandchildren: Duane and Leanna Taylor, Surprise, AZ; Richard and Sheila Taylor, Brownsville, TX; Peggy Klinge, Edson, KS; Ed and Wendy Lucke, Cimarron, KS; Ben and Erin Lucke, Aurora, MO; Amanda and Gabe Freiburger, Madison, AL; Cathy Lucke, Aurora, MO; and 18 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her loving sister, Phyllis Seelhoff of Greeley, CO, and many wonderful friends, especially Dean Pelton. Verdie was preceded in death by her husband, Harry, her son, Ed, one grandson, Dale Taylor, one great-grandson, Michael Klinge, her parents, and one brother and two sisters.