Lucille Anna Derr

Lucille Anna Derr, 94, died peacefully in her San Diego, California home on February 26, 2022. Lucille is survived by her five children: Thomas (Brahna), Richard (Sharon), Christine Axtmann (David), Charles, and Douglas (Norma). She is also survived by numerous grandchildren and one brother, Robert (Sophie) in Florida. Lucille was predeceased by her ex-husband Robert M. Derr, her brother Ralph Dietrich, her two sisters Irene Scharmer and Eleanor Kieffe Zito. She was the middle child of Fred and Martha Dietrich, born September 4, 1927 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Lucille attended the Zion Lutheran Church and graduated from the South Omaha High School. Soon after high school she married Robert in 1946 and divorced 33 years later in 1979. While together they moved around the mid-western and western states due to Robert’s government job, living in Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona, North Dakota and California. After her divorce in 1979, she moved to San Diego where she began her own career.

Lucille began working for the US Government Department of Defense, in San Diego, as a data transcriber (keypunch operator). She continually advanced within the government, lastly working for the Defense Contract Management Agency as a Contract Specialist. During her career she received numerous outstanding commendations for her work and then, in 2005, retired after 26 years of service.

Lucille was very caring and family oriented. After raising five children, she helped raise two of her grandchildren, Logan and Brittany, until they left home after high school. In 1986, Lucille brought her 86 year old mother, Martha, from Nebraska to live with her in San Diego. She cared of her mother until her death at the age of 100.

When not taking care of her family by cooking or working, she sewed and arranged flowers. The latter two skills she possessed, but honed to perfection, by taking college courses years prior in Santa Maria, CA, at Allan Hancock College. Until recently, the congregation at Christ the Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Mira Mesa would arrive for service to be greeted by Lucille’s beautiful floral arrangements on the alter and around the church. She was often found at home arranging flowers for numerous life events, such as extraordinary bouquets and centerpieces for her grandchildren’s weddings.

Lucille learned her cooking skills as a child by helping and watching her mother in the kitchen. As a result of her upbringing, Lucille’s family had breakfast at home before school or work every day, a sack lunch for the kids to take to school and a lunch pail for her husband before he left for work. Everyone came home to a delicious home cooked meal, eaten together, as the days events were shared. Everyone loved Lucille’s cinnamon rolls, fruit and avocado salads, O’Henry bars and kolaches.

She will be missed by her family and friends.

Lucille will be placed to rest at the El Camino Memorial Park, with family members present, on April 7, 2022 at 12:00.