Arvey Leo Lucas

Arvey Leo Lucas, age 89, a current resident of Menomonie, WI, and formerly a long-time resident of Solon Springs, WI, peacefully passed away Sunday, November 3, 2024 at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire, surrounded by family.

He was born on April 11, 1935, in Glidden, WI to parents Leo and Bertha (Kempf) Lucas. He lived in Glidden early on, then moved to Solon Springs and proudly graduated from St. Croix High School in 1953. Upon graduation Arvey worked for a year and then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1954 where he served for three years.

Arvey married the love of his life, Molly Pierce, on September 2, 1966 and they made a life together in Solon Springs, moving to Menomonie in late 2021 to be closer to their daughter Beth and her family. To Arvey, family was always very important. He treasured his relationship with his daughter and was like a proud peacock whenever he talked about his grandchildren. Arvey knew what it meant to work hard. He was an over-the-road truck driver for a year, worked for the Douglas County Highway Department and then decided to join forces with his father and uncles and became part of Lucas Brothers, Inc., a family logging business that he ran until his retirement in 2002. Arvey also knew what it meant to play hard. He played football, basketball and baseball in high school, played softball until he was 71, played golf until he was 85, shot trap for 40 years and played countless card games. Arvey also enjoyed watching Solon Springs and Menomonie high school athletes compete – he was a loyal supporter of the Solon Springs boys basketball and baseball teams and was always up for a road trip to watch one of his grandchildren compete for Menomonie. Arvey also held his recreational pilot’s license and loved spending time in the air. He enjoyed attending “coffee clutch” with his buddies on a regular basis. After moving to Menomonie, spending weekends at the cabin with Beth, Jim and the kids brought him great joy as well as spending time in Solon Springs with his brother Jack, fishing and bird hunting.

It was very important for Arvey to be involved in the Solon Springs community. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, serving as an usher and on the Parish Council. He served on the Village of Solon Springs Airport Committee. Arvey was a firefighter for the Solon Springs Volunteer Fire Department and served on the Fire Commission – all total for 50+ years. This tight-knit group was very important to him, and he was so proud to serve. 

Arvey is survived by his daughter Beth Draeger (Jim) of Menomonie, grandchildren: Celine, Thomas and Benjamin of Menomonie, brothers Jack Lucas (Sharyn) of Young Harris, GA, Todd Lucas (Sue) of Poplar, Randy Lucas (Barb) of Prescott, AZ; sisters in law: Judy Stephans of Gordon, Kathy Tuttle of Eau Claire; brothers in law: Tom Tuttle (Cindy) of Solon Springs, Mike Tuttle of Gordon, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Bertha; wife, Molly; sister, Rosemary Kilgore; father-in-law, George Pierce; mother-in-law, Mildred Tuttle; brothers-in-law, Jim Kilgore and George Pierce; and nephews Rich Tuttle and Jimmy Kilgore.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Arvey at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 15, 2024 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Solon Springs.  A time of gathering will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the church.  Military honors will be accorded by the State Wisconsin Military Funeral Honors Program.  Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Solon Springs. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Solon Springs Volunteer Fire Department, 9083 E Baldwin Avenue, Solon Springs, WI, 54873 or a charity of your choice.