Lucille Margaret Wilber was born to Jacob and Caroline Bader on May 19, 1921 in Grand Island, Nebraska. Lucille grew up in Grand Island and there married her husband of 49 years, Jack Wilber on June 24, 1943.
She had two children, Jacqueline and Michael both raised in Lincoln Nebraska.
One of Lucy’s earlier jobs was making candies at Russell Stovers in Lincoln. The occupation she was most proud of, however, was her sales career in real estate for 40 years and she held that memory proudly until her death. At her 100th birthday party at Brookside she gave a speech about her real estate career and thanked all her coworkers for their continued support and birthday wishes (of which we are quite sure she probably was the only one still with us). She could be found many evenings gathering her purse and stating she was going to go show a house.
One of the fondest memories her grandchildren will have was Christmas. One could barely find place in the family room with all the presents. Grandma was known to get to the sales and be very first in line and throwing elbows one year to get the prized Cabbage Patch dolls.. Grandma prided herself in the tactics of finding what was on Santa’s list and beat him to the prize present. One year when a baby doll’s bottle was lost she went to dig thru the trash and fell and broke her elbow on the ice. This lady went to all ends for Christmas.
The nurses and aides at Brookside liked to tell us about Lucy frequently being seen dancing down the halls. She loved to dance and sing for them. This was a talent that none of her family were aware.
Another of her famous past times was going to the casinos. She had a cohort in these little outings in her “Grandson by marriage” Mark, who would pick up the little ladies and escort them to the casinos. He would stand by their sides and watch over them and bring the smiling little Miss Daisies home.
Lucy is survived by 2 children, 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She will be laid to rest with husband Jack in the Veterans section of Lincoln Memorial Cemetery on May 4, 2022.
Memorials may be sent to the Capital Humane Society.
