Marlene “Molly” Lucas, age 89, a current resident of Menomonie, WI, and formerly a long-time resident of Solon Springs, WI, peacefully passed away Saturday, July 2, 2022 at American Lutheran Home in Menomonie.
She was born on May 22, 1933, in Solon Springs, WI to parents George Pierce and Mildred (Smith) Tuttle. She lived in Solon Springs early on, then moved to Superior and proudly graduated from Superior East High School in 1951. Upon graduation Molly worked at US Steel and at the Old Oak Bar in Gordon, WI and enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps in 1953 where she served for two years.
Molly married the love of her life, Arvey Lucas, 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 Molly, family was everything. Her grandchildren filled her with joy. She hosted many get togethers for holidays, enjoying having everyone around her. She loved playing games. Cards, poker, dice, board or word games were all her favorites. Molly had amazing creativity – drawing, painting, knitting, card making, cooking, baking, gardening. There wasn’t anything that she was afraid to try and anything she couldn’t do if she set her mind to it. She completed her first 5-k at age 76 and got her first and only tattoo at age 86. She loved the outdoors – fresh air, sunrises, sunsets, getting her hands dirty while gardening, going for walks & “leaf peeping” in the fall. Early on with Arvey she enjoyed snowmobile trips along with canoe trips down the Brule River. Molly was very civic minded. She was involved with the Solon Springs Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, the St. Croix High School PTA, the Solon Springs Village Board, Solon Springs Civic Club, the American Legion Post 499, was an EMT in Solon Springs, and was very passionate about women’s rights. Over the years Molly worked at the Solon Springs Post Office, Douglas County Forestry Department as well as the Northwoods Shopper, but in Molly’s words, “My biggest accomplishment and my favorite job was raising my daughter”.
Molly is survived by her husband Arvey of Menomonie, her daughter Beth Draeger (Jim) of Menomonie, grandchildren: Celine, Thomas and Benjamin of Menomonie, sisters: Judy Stephans of Gordon, Kathy Tuttle of Eau Claire, brothers: Tom Tuttle (Cindy) of Solon Springs, Mike Tuttle of Gordon, George Pierce of Solon Springs, brothers-in-law Jack Lucas (Sharyn) of Vero Beach, FL, Todd Lucas (Sue) of Poplar, Randy Lucas (Barb) of Prescott, AZ, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Mildred, father-in-law Leo Lucas; mother-in-law Bertha Lucas; sister-in-law Rosemary Kilgore, brother-in-law Jim Kilgore; and nephews Rich Tuttle and Jimmy Kilgore.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Solon Springs, where visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of Mass. Interment with military honors will follow in 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.