Dennis K. Lucas

LUCAS, DENNIS K.
formerly of Appleton
now of Sun City, AZ

Age 62. After years of suffering from heart trouble, God saw fit to wrap his arms around Denny and called him Home on Tuesday, August 31, 2004. Denny was born on February 1, 1942, in Green Bay to the late Elmer E. and June (Winans) Strnad. He married his best friend and love of his life, Barbara Pagel on January 14, 1961, in Wisconsin. Denny was a steamfitter welder and a member of Local #400 Plumbers and Steamfitters Union for 39 years until he was forced to retire due to ill health. On November 27, 1992, Denny had a heart transplant at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was blessed with nearly 12 more years of life. After two years of wintering in sunny Arizona, he and Barb moved there full time in 2000. Denny had many hobbies, including hunting, fishing, leather craft, wood working. He was also a Packer fan and Nascar fan (Mark Martin was his favorite driver). Denny was a bright and intelligent man. Even as sick as he was, he had a sense of humor and never complained. Survivors include is wife of 43 years, Barb; his son, James B. Lucas (special friend Susan Witzke), Appleton; his very special daughter-in-law, Debi Lucas, and his grandchildren, Makalya, Delanie and Shane Lucas, all of Granite Bay, CA. He is further survived by his special buddies; his cat, Piper and dogs, Gigi and Heidi Marie; his brothers, Derry Lucas, Farmington, MN; Randy (Sherry) Lucas and Rick Lucas, Abrams, WI; his sister-in-law, Bonnie Pagel, (special friend Wayne Fees), Peoria, AZ; also his aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He is also survived by a special extended family, a special “daughter” Jenny (John) Hermans, grandsons, Justin and Johnny Hermans, Appleton; and a special “granddaughter” Colie (Tom) Vieau and their daughter, Alexrandra, Kaukauna. He was preceded in death by his son, Major Richard R. Lucas in 2003, and his grandson, Richard Lucas, Jr. in 1995, his mother and adopted father, June and Howard Lucas: his father Elmer Strnad; and his grandparents, Freeman and Gertie Winans; his mother and father-in-law, Evelyn and Robert Pagel. Denny was a member of Shepherd Desert Lutheran Church in Sun City, AZ and Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Appleton. A memorial service was held in Sun City on September 5, 2004, with Pastor Cockman and Pastor Duhlstine-Robarge officiating. Funeral services will be at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 10, 2004, at the WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME, Appleton, with Pastor Dennis E. Ellisen officiating. Friends may call directly at the funeral home on Friday from 4:00 p.m. until the time of services. Committal services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at Riverside Cemetery, Little Suamico, WI, with Pastor Solverg Zamzom officiating. Pallbearers are James, Derry, Randy, and Rick Lucas, Bonnie and Wayne Pagel, John Hermans, and Mike Machurick. A lunch will follow at St. John Lutheran Church, Little Suamico at which time you can share your condolences to the family. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund is being established in Denny’s name. Memorial can be sent to Barb at 10318 W. Floriade Drive, Sun City, AZ.
WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 North Superior Street
Appleton 739-1231
www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com