Marcia Luecke

Mardi passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of family, in the early dawn hours, Monday January 29, 2024.

She is survived by her loving, devoted, handsome, and wonderful husband of 66 years, Rev. David Luecke; 4 of her five children, 12 of her 13 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, her brother, Harry Maier, her sister-in-laws, and Dotty Maier and Karen Maier.

Mardi was born in Waynesboro, VA to Rev. Karl H. and Esther Maier, during Pastor Maier’s 40 years of attending Bethany Trinity Lutheran Church as its minister. She was born in their house on 14th St, where she lived until she was married. She attended Bethany Lutheran School through its 7 grades, graduated from Waynesboro High School, and attended James Madison College where she received a teaching degree. She had a lovely singing voice and sang in the Glee Club in College, traveling to Iceland and Bermuda. She also sang in Bethany’s choir for many years, and sang solos for weddings and funerals.

Mardi married Pastor David Luecke in 1957, (as Dave said to Mardi a few days ago, “I was born in Chicago and you were born in Waynesboro. What were the chances of us getting together for a lifetime(?). But, God worked it out.” )…and she moved to Hickory, NC, where Dave served two Lutheran Churches. She led one of the choirs, picking up members of the choir in her VW bug as she drove the 14 miles to church. When she arrived, out piled the children and singers, ‘like a clown circus’.

Mardi was ever an ‘assistant pastor’ to the churches Dave served, beloved by their congregations from Hickory to Baltimore to Columbia to Waynesboro. Her faith was strong and her generous gifting of so many skillsets, invaluable.

But especially, Mardi was a woman of many interests, much loving, and such beautiful grace in how she met others and the adventures she and Dave dove into; family, home-building, community-building, house renovations, furniture refinishing, crafting, sailing adventures…Mardi was a love-filled force of life in all the best ways.

We celebrate her life well-lived. Our world will never be the same without her.