Willard E. Luecker

Willard E. Luecker, 89, died Sunday, March 10, 2019. He was born September 26, 1929, in rural New Haven, Missouri to the late Adolph and Amanda (nee Deppermann) Luecker. He went to a one-room school at Ebenezer Lutheran and United School and graduated from Washington High School in 1947. He attended St. Louis Business College for three years and studied accounting. While attending college he also partnered with his father on the farm where he was born. Willard purchased the family farm from his father in 1957 and continued developing the dairy farm and Holstein cattle herd. The Luecker Dairy Farm recently was recognized as a Missouri Century Farm.

In 1972, his son Steve took over the farm and Willard started his second career as a real estate broker and later, real estate appraiser, owning Landmark Appraisal Company. He was a past president of the Campbellton School Board, 1989 president of the Washington Chamber of Commerce, Washington Town and Country Fair Chairman in 1972, 1977 president and a member for over forty years of the Washington Optimist Club, and was active in various farm organizations. He was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and served on many committees and as president of the congregation in 1997. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, cooking, riding his John Deere tractor, promoting the city and industries of Washington, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Willard is survived by his wife of twenty-four years, Mary Lou (nee Maasen) Luecker; four children, Steve Luecker and wife Judy of New Haven, Barry Luecker of Anchorage, Alaska, Christine Ragland and husband Roy of Liberty, Missouri, Scott and special friend Debbie Becker of Washington; three stepsons, Wayne Baumstark and wife Judy of Steelville, Keith Baumstark and wife Laurel of Washington, and Allen Baumstark and wife Linda of Kansas City, Missouri; fifteen grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; other relatives; and many friends.

A visitation will be held Thursday, March 14, 2019, from 4-7pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Washington.  A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday from Immanuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Mark Bangert as celebrant.  Burial will be private.  Expressions of sympathy may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters.

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