Emma Lucas

BIOGRAPHY

Emma Lucas was born in Wilmont, Minnesota, USA, on 16 November 1909, the third of eleven children born to parents Frank Schettler (1874–1968) and Mary Ann Scheurs (1885–1971). Her family moved to Larchwood when she was a baby. She attended the newly opened St. Mary’s School through the 10th grade. During this time, she took piano lessons and practiced on an old pump organ at home. While growing up, she helped her father with many tasks on the farm, including picking corn, milking cows, and plowing with a sulky plow. She also assisted two neighbor women who were expecting babies.

On 15 January 1929, at the age of 19, she married Theodore John “Ted” DeSmet (1906–1972) at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. They had seven children together. During their marriage, they farmed west and south of Larchwood. However, in 1940, when Ted developed ulcers, they moved to Valley Springs, where Ted operated a portable feed mill. In 1943, they returned to Larchwood, and Ted continued running the portable feed mill. Ted passed away on 10 August 1972. On 7 March 1983, Emma married Lawrence (Luke) Lucas, who passed away in September 1984.

In 1953, she was asked to start the hot lunch program at St. Mary’s, a role she continued until the grade school closed permanently in 1974. Afterward, she transitioned from cooking for the school lunch program to preparing meals for the senior lunch program (dinner date). During this time, she also became the church organist and often had to play for funerals while preparing meals for the school children. She shared her musical talents by performing with a local band for about 10 years. Emma played the organ at St. Mary’s for 40 years, retiring at the age of 99. In her free time, she enjoyed bowling, reading, playing cards, doing counted cross-stitch, and crocheting doilies.

Her sister, Margaret De Smet (1906–2009), lived to be 103, while another, Bertha Theresa Kramer (1911–2011), died at 99.

Lucas passed away at the Fellowship Village Care Center in Inwood, Iowa, USA, on 19 December 2019, at the age of 110 years, 33 days. She was survived by three sons and two daughters, as well as 37 grandchildren, 89 great-grandchildren, and 73 great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* Emma J Schettler Lucas – Find A Grave

* Emma J. Desmet Lucas – Jurrens Funeral Homes

GALLERY

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