Ruth Marlene Lucke

Ruth Marlene Lucke, 52, beloved daughter of Henry and Myrtle (Hildebrandt) Lucke, was born on Friday, September 24, 1971, and was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus Christ on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

Ruth was baptized on her date of birth by Dr. H.E. Lancaster at Memorial Hospital in Beeville, Texas. Later, on December 12, 1971, the reaffirmation took place at Peace Lutheran Church by Rev. H.L. Anderson and she was confirmed in the Christian faith on May 21, 1989, at Faith Lutheran Church in Beeville by Rev. Richard Bremer.

Born six weeks early at her home in Beeville, Texas and delivered by her father, Ruth weighed three pounds. Despite her early arrival and health challenges, she led a fulfilling life and brought much joy to her parents and everyone she encountered with a bigger-than-life smile. She attended FMC Elementary School and Thomas Jefferson Junior High in Beeville and later transferred to Kingsville Memorial Junior High and graduated from H.M. King High School in Kingsville in May 1994. After graduation, Ruth lived at Pinetree in San Antonio, a home for girls with a variety of cognitive challenges. She later was trained by and employed at Goodwill Industries, Jason’s Deli and the Foundation of Hope Crafts in San Antonio. The past year she spent at Hacienda Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation in Beeville.

Ruth loved watching videos, dancing, gymnastics and was a true athlete with her mom being her biggest fan and trainer. She was always involved in sports, especially participating in several Olympic events and earned many medals in swimming, bicycling and track. She also enjoyed playing basketball, softball, volleyball, tennis and soccer. Going on a plane ride to play soccer in Mexico gave her much happiness. She also paraglided over the waters at South Padre Island.

Ruth was a fan of the San Antonio Spurs and enjoyed watching the Silver Stars WNBA team. She was also a TV sports spectator and enjoyed watching the teams from UT-Austin and the Dallas Cowboys. She loved traveling especially on a cruise ship to the Bahamas and a plane ride to Hawaii.

Her absolute greatest love was music. She loved to sing and learned to play the piano and clarinet. She sang in several choirs and helped lead the young children’s Sunday School program. She loved country music and had the opportunity to meet a variety of country artists. Her taste in music were fairly eclectic with a wide variety ranging from Bach to classical and church and Christmas hymns and carols.

Being extremely committed to her faith, Ruth was an active volunteer in the Beeville church and was particularly familiar with the biblical Book of Ruth. For approximately 30 years, she attended Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in San Antonio where she did volunteer work, read scriptures and helped with the services. The church placed a special bench for her to wait for her ride from Via Transit.

She was preceded in death by her beloved father, Henry “Hank” Lucke on March 11, 2015; and her grandparents, Walter and Anita (Schroeder) Hildebrandt and Charlie and Carrie (Albert) Lucke.

Left behind to mourn her beloved daughter’s passing and to cherish beautiful memories include her mother, Myrtle Lucke of Beeville; brothers, Mark (Valerie) Lucke of Richardson and Paul (Elaine) Lucke of Baytown; nephews, Jonathan (Blythe) Lucke and David Lucke, both of Florida; nieces, Barbara Lucke (Joaquin) Salazar of Austin, Claire Lucke and Caroline Lucke, both of Baytown; her cousin, Debbie Hildebrandt of San Antonio; Pinetree resident assistants; as well as many other relatives and friends.

A memorial service celebrating Ruth’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 16, at Faith Lutheran Church with Pastor Gary Conklin officiating with a reception afterward in the fellowship hall.

Ruth will be laid to rest at 3 o’clock that afternoon in the Witting Lutheran Cemetery in Witting, Texas in Lavaca County.