Gabriela Luecken, age 89, of Mahnomen, MN died Monday, June 21, 2010 at Mahnomen Health Center.
Gabriela Tschida was born on September 2, 1920 to Joseph and Martha (Schlueter) Tschida in New Munich, MN. At the age of 6, she moved with her family to Mahnomen County. Gabriela grew up in La Garde Township, where she attended the Becker School and the Flowing Well School. After her schooling, she could be found helping at home. Gabriela married Raymond Luecken on November 19, 1947 in Beaulieu, MN. Together they made their home on a farm 10 miles east of Mahnomen. Gabriela worked hard helping Raymond while raising the children and always having a large garden. Raymond passed away in 1989 and Gabriela lived on the farm until July 2006 at which time she became a resident at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home.
Gabriela loved to color, draw and patch clothes. She could often be found in her kitchen, baking wonderful breads and cakes. She always had fresh bread at the house every day. Gabriela was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and a participant in the Christian Mothers.
Gabriela is survived by a daughter, Ruth (Gerald) Nefzger of Mahnomen; two sons, Albert (Gladys) of Bagley, MN and James of Mahnomen; a sister, Martha Kaster of Mahnomen; five grandchildren: Georgeanna (Daniel) Hylla, Geraldine (Charles) Clark, Robert Nefzger, Jennifer Nefzger and Anthony Nefzger.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond; a daughter, Patricia; a granddaughter, Patricia; four brothers; and two sisters.
Mass of Christian burial was held Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 11:00 am at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Beaulieu, MN. Father Mario Prada was the celebrant with Brenda Sorensen as pianist. Carol Liebl and Mary Ann Brisbois provided special music. Pallbearers were Mike Kaster, Robert Nefzger, Daniel Hylla, Anthony Nefzger, Charles Clark Jr. and Cletus Geray. Visitation was held at Anderson-Mattson Funeral Home on Friday, June 25, 2010 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, with a prayer service followed by a rosary at 6:30 pm. Visitation was held one hour prior the service at the church on Saturday.
Interment was at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Beaulieu, MN.