Gretchen Blanka Lueken

Gretchen was born March 26, 1925 in Ruetzengruen, (East) Germany in the state of Saxony. She married Jan Lueken during World War II. As the war ended, they were both captured by the Russians while trying to escape to the West. Gretchen was later released and her husband somehow convinced the Russians they were really heading east even as they traveled west!

In 1953 they emigrated, sponsored by relatives, to Saginaw, Michigan. At this time, post-WWII, anti-German sentiment was so strong they returned to Germany in 1959. However, in Germany, they found a severe housing shortage with a five year wait to find a home. They returned to the US, this time to Indianapolis, Indiana where Gretchen raised her family. Gretchen worked for L.S. Ayres (now Macy’s) as a salesperson for many years. She caught so many shop lifters that she received numerous bonuses and awards. Upon “retirement” from Ayres, she worked for son, Eckhard Lueken at Lueken Cement/Fountain Factory in sales. In 2018, Gretchen moved to Texas to be closer to her daughter, Gunda.

Gretchen is predeceased by her daughter Karin Lueken, Son Eckhard Lueken, and sister Renate. She is survived by her daughter, Gunda Vaughan (Al), New Braunfels, Texas and grandsons, Derek Vaughan (Marie-Chantal) (Montreal Canada) and Damian Vaughan (Izabella) ( Seattle Washington) and two great-granddaughters, Maelle Paquet-Vaughan (Montreal) and Rafaelle Vaughan-Goldenberg (Seattle).

Our beloved & sweet Mom and Oma met and overcame overwhelming challenges in her life with courage, tenacity, and grace.

There will be a Celebration of Life at the at Leppert Mortuary-Nora, 740 East 86th Street, Indianapolis at 1:00 pm Saturday January 4, 2025. Immediately after the Celebration of Life, Gretchen will be laid to rest with children, Karin and Eckhard, in Lincoln Memorial Gardens, 6851 South Indianapolis Road, Whitestown Indiana.

Donations in memory of Gretchen are welcome to Connections Social Services, 1414 W. San Antonio Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130.