Jane Carolyn Lucht's Obituary
Jane Carolyn Lucht, 86, of Red Bud, IL, passed away on April 9, 2025. She was born February 25, 1939, in Red Bud, IL. She was the daughter of the late Adolph C., and Verna, nee, Hitzemann. She was married to Vernon Lucht. They were married October 14, 1956, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Red Bud.
Jane graduated from Trinity Lutheran School and Red Bud High School. She started writing and was the photographer for the North County News in 1965, served as editor from 1977 to 2018, where she wrote a weekly article on the "Prairie News". She served as president of the Southern Illinois District Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) and national boards of the LWML and was the district editor for 17 years. Also served on the Randolph County Association for Home and Community Education Board as editor. Served on the Southern Illinois District (SID) Lutheran Laymen's League Board as public relations chair. Served on the SID Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Board of Directors, Historian for Trinity Church and School and organized several anniversary celebrations. Author of several books, one of the founders of the Red Bud Area Museum and it's director since 2012. Jane was also a member of Sow & Grow LWML; Trinity Mission Quilters; Randolph county Tourism Committee; Red Bud Nite Unit of HCE; Randolph Society; Red Bud Regional Hospital Foundation; Red Bud School District #132 Charitable Foundation. She has received several awards recognizing her for her support of the Red Bud community and her work; Citizen of Achievement in Red Bud; Master Editor by the School of Journalism at Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Friend of Education Award; Member of the Year by the Illinois Association for Home and Community Education. Jane and Vernon were very loving parents, and they would do anything for anybody. They enjoyed following all local sports.
Surviving are daughters, Denise (Orville) Heller, Genelle (Darwin) Koenen; sons, Kevin (Kerry) Lucht, Warren (Susan) Lucht, David (Cari) Lucht; ten grandchildren, Jeremy (Beth) Heller, Joshua (Star) Heller, Jonathan (Cassie) Heller, Leslie (Matt) Gustafson, Monica (Jake) Jansen, Natalie (Dillon) Thies, Ashley (Michael) Murphy, Courtney (Joel) Bonnett, Ross (Sandra) Wendt, Ryan (Katelyn) Wendt, Anna, Samantha, Easton, and Chase Lucht; great-grandchildren, Mason Heller, Cole Heller, Riley Heller, Lena Heller, Benjamin Heller, Stella Walter, Henry Walter, Wesley Heller, Cooper Gustafson, Alexander Gustafson, Nolan Thies, Madelyn Thies, Evie Bonnett, Collins Bonnett, Greyson Bonnett, Loagan Murphy, Miles Murphy, Banks Wendt; sisters, Bonnie (Edward) Piel, Charlene (Gary) Woods; along with other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by Father, Adolph C. Hitzemann; Mother, Verna Hitzemann; Brother, Marlin Hitzemann; .
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm, at Trinity Lutheran Church, (Prairie) Red Bud, IL. Services will be held 10:00 am, Wednesday April 16, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Red Bud, with Rev. Scott Hojnacki officiating. Interment will follow in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to: Trinity Lutheran Church, (Prairie) 10235 S. Prairie Rd., Red Bud, IL 62278 , LWML Student Assistant Fund, Red Bud Area Museum. For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com. Leesman Funeral Home, Red Bud, IL, handled arrangements.
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