Doris Teresa (Loecke) Tucker of Manchester

Doris Teresa (Loecke) Tucker, 94, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away surrounded by family, on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Edgewood Convalescent Home in Edgewood, Iowa. She was born on April 9, 1931 on a farm north of Earlville, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Noethe) Loecke. Doris’s mother passed away when Doris was four years old.

Doris’s family moved to a Worthington farm in the summer of 1935, which Doris said the sandy ground was only good for farming sandburs. Her father Frank later married Annie Gaul with whom he had four more children. Doris started school at a country school just down the road from the Worthington farm, then went to St. Paul’s School until 8^th grade, when she took a year off to help the family. She then continued on to high school, graduating in 1949.

Shortly after, as Doris always said with a playful shake of her head, “Then I met this man who wanted to date me, and told me he’d marry me someday!” Doris married Joseph Tucker on February 2, 1951, and later moved to the Monticello area where Doris said they had their happiest days on the farm. The couple raised three boys and farmed there for 15 years. In 1968 Doris and Joe moved to a farm near Greeley, where they raised cattle and hogs, as well as crop farmed.

In 1974 Joe and Doris moved to Manchester, to the kind of house she always wanted to fix up. They made the house “live-able and beautiful” while she worked at Hendersons for a short time, then was employed at the Manchester Press for 21 years as their bookkeeper. As their boys married and moved away, and the grandkids started arriving, Doris and Joe’s house filled with continuous joy. Every weekend when the kids stayed, their house was filled with laughter and smiles while pancakes were cooked and cards were played. Doris and Joe truly loved the time they were able to spend with their grandchildren and family.

Doris had several traumatic accidents, but always came out on the other side of them more thankful for what she had, clear that Doris had so much more living to do! She always found the good in life, passing that on to her children and her grandchildren. Doris’s theme was often “Why complain? What good is that going to do?” Doris’s Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her life. She was a longtime and active member of St. Mary Catholic Church. She had an aneurysm in 1988, and expressed that on the ambulance ride and hospital stay, it was just more time for her to spend privately with God, receiving peace and immense joy. After Joe’s passing in February of 2001, just one day after their 50^th anniversary, she continued to regularly attend services with her family and live in the Lord.

Doris had many wonderful friends while living in the Senior Living apartment in Manchester, as well as, at the Assisted Living home in Edgewood. She also really cherished the times and visits she had with many other relatives and friends.

She is survived by daughter-in-law Susan Tucker (Jim) of Monticello, and sons Jerry (Joyce) Tucker of Dyersville and Dick (Mary Kaye) Tucker of Lamont. She leaves behind eight grandchildren Jennifer Rose, Janelle Tucker, Jill (Jim) Mitchel, Jeff (Kindra Burfield) Tucker, Michael Tucker, Mark (Rachel) Tucker, Peggy (Matt Cain) Tucker and Michelle (Eric) Downs; 12 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. Doris is also survived by her siblings, Ruth (Rich) Welch, Wally (Kay) Loecke, Roseanne (Jerry) Krogmann, Marian Peters, sister-in-law Janice (Dave) Loecke, Angie Loecke; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, friends and fellow card players.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband Joseph; her infant daughter Janet; her son Jim; her parents and parents-in-law; granddaughter Sheryl Tucker; grandson-in-law Michael Rose; siblings Ben (Dietz) Loecke, Ralphie Loecke in infancy, Verna Mae (Jerry) Roling and Dave Loecke.

Doris’s legacy of love, generosity and faith will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Doris’s family would like to thank Lincolnwood Assisted Living and Edgewood Convalescent Home for their wonderful care.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester, Iowa, with Reverend Gabriel Anderson officiating.

Visitation:  3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home, Manchester, Iowa. Friends may also call from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the church on Wednesday.

Interment: St. Mary Cemetery, Manchester, Iowa