Nancy Lueken

PRINCETON — Nancy K. Lueken left this world for a better one on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019, in Peoria. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Nancy was born on Sept. 18, 1957, in Effingham.

She graduated from Teutopolis High School in 1975 and from Eastern Illinois University in 1979. She moved to Princeton shortly after graduation, and began her teaching career working in special education. In 1998, Nancy earned her master’s degree in teaching and leadership. She retired in 2014 after 34 years in the Princeton School District.

Nancy enjoyed many travel adventures in retirement with her good friend Betty. She loved being outdoors, working in the yard, tending to her many raspberry plants and walking for hours along the canal with her dogs. She was young at heart and a free spirit; enjoying frequent camping trips to Devil’s Lake in Wisconsin with her longtime partner and fiancé, Dale, and other great friends. She could find fun wherever she went, and never met a dog, or a craft beer, that she didn’t like.

Nancy had immeasurable amounts of patience and understanding, which made her a great mediator, advice giver and loyal friend. She was always ready to help someone out in time of need but expected no favors in return. Nancy was the “cool aunt” and all her nieces and nephews considered her their favorite aunt as well. She treated each and every one of them as her own child.

Nancy is survived by her brothers, Mark (Judy) Lueken of Teutopolis and Bob (Donna) Lueken of Effingham; her sisters, Cindy (Dave) Will of Peoria and Anita (Chuck) Deters of Teutopolis; 13 nieces and nephews; and 21 great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Rosemary Lueken; one brother, Dennis; and her fiancé Dale Staples.

A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Right Downtown Banquet and Event Center in Princeton. Interment will be in St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials can be made to the special education department at Logan Junior High School in Princeton or Nurses Caring for People in Peoria. The Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Words of comfort can be submitted to www.woolsey-wilton.com.