Pequot Lakes saddened by death of John Lueck
Photo by Nancy Vogt
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The community lost a friend when John Lueck died.
He was everybody's friend. That's the story being told all over this community that is trying to come to grips with the death of a vital young person who was an important member of the community.
At 2:05 p.m. Sunday, April 22, Lueck was reported missing to the Breezy Point Police Department. At 2:30 p.m., Breezy Point police were informed by the St. Cloud Police Department that Lueck had been found.
According to St. Cloud police, at 11:07 a.m. Sunday, April 22, police received a call from a motel about an apparent suicide. Sgt. Bentrud said they found a 41-year-old man who had died. Cause of death will be determined by the Ramsey County Coroner's office.
Bentrud said the St. Cloud police are treating the death as an apparent suicide.
Photo by Nancy Vogt
Lueck was a member of the Pequot Lakes School Board and coached a girls' basketball team. He owned the Oasis gas station in Pequot Lakes.
At Pequot Lakes Middle and High schools, the following announcement was made in classes Monday:
"The Pequot Lakes School community is saddened by the reported suicide of one of our school board members and coaches, John Lueck. The death of any member of a community is a loss that one way or another affects each of us, but the tragic circumstances of John's death are more difficult to accept.
"Your teachers, counselors and administrators are here to help all students, whatever the problem. If you, or one of your friends needs to talk, let a teacher or counselor know. Please let a staff member know if there are others who need help."
Lueck was all about kids. He was elected to the school board in 2005 and was a strong supporter of both academics and athletics. His wife, Jana, is an assistant track coach. They have two children, Emily, a Pequot Lakes eighth-grader, and Mattie, a seventh-grader.
He was an entrepreneur who started his first business while he was still in high school. He developed the Oasis complex and owned the Oasis Gas Station and Convenience Store in Pequot Lakes. He attended school in Nisswa and graduated from Brainerd High School.
Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at Pequot Lakes High School with the Rev. Joan Gunderman and the Rev. Christian Meier officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Nisswa.
Visitation was 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to establish a college fund for Lueck's daughters and to establish a school projects fund in his name through Pequot Lakes Schools. Contributions may be sent to Lakes State Bank, 30886 Second St., Pequot Lakes, MN 56472. Arrangements are with Nelson Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd.
Statement from the Lueck family:
"Although our hearts are breaking, the love and support of this community is amazing. To everyone who has stopped by, called, offered help and food these last few days, thank you. Our family and this community has lost someone very special. So hug your kids, greet your neighbors and help us keep the memory of a wonderful son, husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, coach and just good guy alive forever."
--The family of John Lueck
