Tucker, Wilbur (1930-2005)

TUCKER, DEMPSTER, REDMOND, DALE, SIXBEY

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 2/23/2010 at 23:56:09

Wilbur Tucker - Jan. 8, 1930 - May 20, 2005

Wilbur Tucker, age 75, of Gainesville, Florida, and former resident and mayor of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Friday, May 20, 2005, in Gainesville.

Wilbur was born January 8, 1930, in LeMars, Iowa,to Charles R. and Bertha Mae (Dempster) Tucker. He grew up in LeMars and graduated from LeMars High School with the Class of 1949. Wilbur served his country with honor in the United States Air Force from 1950 through 1954 and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict.

On June 15, 1953, Wilbur was united in marriage to Thelma Patricia Redmond in LeMars, Iowa. Their union was blessed with two sons, Michael and Charles, and a daughter, Kim.

Wilbur owned and operated a dry cleaning business in Akron, Iowa, from 1955-1961 before coming to Storm Lake. There he purchased Elliott Cleaners and changed the business name to Orchid Cleaners in 1962.

Wilbur was a tireless worker in his community. He was a member of the Storm Lake United Methodist Church, Hy-Noon Kiwanis, an active fundraiser for Storm Lake’s Gingerbread House, a Faith Hope and Charity board member, and he helped with Boy Scouts and Little League. Furthermore, he was a member of Storm Lake PTA, Masonic Lodge, Iowa Drycleaners Association, SERPACI and a Past Patron of O.E.S. plus a host of other activities too numerous to list. Civic responsibility called him in 1980 and he ran and was elected as a Storm Lake City Councilperson. He was elected Mayor of the City of Storm Lake in 1982 and held that office until 1992.

Above all, Wilbur was a loving husband and devoted father and beloved grandfather who treasured the time he spent with his family. His love and enthusiasm for family, community and life in general will be missed by all who knew him.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of nearly 52 years, Thelma Tucker of Gainesville, Florida; sons Michael and wife Debbie Tucker of Interlachen, Florida, and Dr. Charles and wife Laurie Tucker of Gainesville, Florida; daughter Kim and husband Kevin Dale of Tucson, Arizona; his six grandchildren: Meggen Tucker Sixbey, Mary Tucker, Seth Tucker, Aaron Dale, Ellen Dale and Emily Dale; one great-granddaughter, Alex Sixbey; his brother, Dr. Charles and Ruth Tucker of Iowa City, Iowa; as well as many relatives and a host of friends.

Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Services in Storm Lake will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2005, at the Storm Lake United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Storm Lake Cemetery. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. The AMVETS Post #66 will perform Military Rites.

Friends may call anytime after 4:00 on Monday, May 30, 2005, at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake where the family will be present from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

In lieu of Flowers, the family requests memorials are made to the Tucker Memorial Tree Museum Fund, which has been established at Security Bank in Storm Lake. Mr. Tucker was the inspiration for the Storm Lake Tree Museum as well as a key player in establishing the Tree Museum, which today flourishes in the area of Sunset Park in Storm Lake.

Copyright © 2005, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home

Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
 

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