Joan Lueck, age 98, of Darlington, formerly of Browntown, WI, and Peterborough, England passed away Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the New Glarus Home. She was born September 7, 1925 in Peterborough, England, the first born of Lewis and Evelyn Hardwick. She attended the St. Augustine’s Church of England School for 10 years before enlisting to work in a parachute factory, work that helped the war effort against Nazi Germany. Her family spent many nights sleeping in a nearby air raid shelter where she helped calm her younger siblings.

During World War II she met an American GI, Sgt. Awalt Lueck of Browntown, WI and they married August 19, 1944 in Peterborough. They moved to Browntown after the war and raised 5 sons. After Awalt died of cancer in 1989, Joan decided to downsize her life and moved to the Darbridge Apartments in Darlington in 1993 where she resided for 30 years.

She is survived by her sister Evelyn Hardwick of Italy; her 5 sons: David of Monroe, Jeffrey of Washington, IA, Martin of McFarland, Paul of Darlington, and Phillip of North Freedom. She outlived 2 younger brothers and 3 younger sisters all of England. She was a grandmother to 9 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

In her early years she earned medals competing in swimming, track, and basketball. She became a US Citizen in 1951. While living in Browntown she was a member of Peace Church and was designated as their first Deaconess in the 1950’s. She worked along side the men of the church doing projects for Habitat for Humanity. More recently she was a member of the Pleasant View Primitive Methodist Church, rural Belmont, where she served as treasurer and missions supporter. She will be remembered as an avid gardener, reader, knitter, and watcher of PBS programs.

As well as can be remembered, she crossed the Atlantic Ocean 22 times to visit family and friends. She visited Israel 3 times to experience the Holy Land as well as trips to Egypt. She traveled throughout much of America and Canda on various vacation trips.

A funeral service will be held at Pleasant View Primitive Methodist Church on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. with a visitation the hour preceeding. Rev. Bruce Bennett will officiate. A light Tea will follow at the church before traveling to Cadiz Cemetery, Browntown for burial. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.

For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Joan’s name.