Charlene Ann Luneburg

Charlene Ann Luneburg was born October 4, 1939, in Hay Springs, Nebraska, to Violette J. (Dramse) Tuchek and Charles E. Tuchek. She was later joined by younger brother Tom. She was blessed with two sisters, Judy and Laura, as well when her mother married George Synoground. She passed away September 13, 2024, at Pioneer Manor in Hay Springs.

Charlene attended Sandridge School as a child and fondly remembered gathering the animals in from “Twilight Hill” and playing cards and having fish fries with her family. Then she attended Hay Springs Public Schools, graduating in 1957. She went on to secretarial school in Rapid City, South Dakota, returning to marry Robert Luneburg in 1959.

The young couple made their way across the country where Bob studied optometry at Pacific University and Charlene worked as a bank teller while earning her PHT (Putting Hubby Through). Next stop was San Antonio, where Bob was in the Air Force and Charlene began raising their young family. Daughter Robyn was born on the base in 1963. In 1966, they moved to Milbank, South Dakota, to start an optometry practice. Daughter Amy was born in Milbank in 1967. Charlene was kept busy raising her little girls and enjoying Extension Club, Study Club, church, and hostessing office parties and loving on her dog, Daisy. As the girls got older, she added driving them to piano lessons, 4-H, and dance. She was a great bowler, took tennis lessons, and loved coffee dates with her friends.

In 1976 the family moved back to Hay Springs to start a new optometry practice and to work on the Luneburg family ranch. They lived on the ranch beginning in 1981. We have fond memories of Mum watching her beloved Minnesota Vikings and doing felt and sequin crafts. She made Christmas stockings for her daughters and sons-in-law that we still use. Charlene worked for Lloyd’s Pharmacy for many years before becoming Bob’s full-time secretary. In later years Charlene and Bob travelled to Hawaii and Alaska and made regular trips to Florida to visit Robyn and Brad.

In the early 2000s, they retired from optometry, sold the ranch, and moved back into town. Bob passed away in 2011, and Charlene continued to enjoy her friends, volunteer at her church and the senior center, and watch her favorite Swamp People.

Later Charlene was lucky enough to find love a second time with her wonderful travelling companion, Kenny Kudrna. She had the opportunity to revisit Hawaii and Alaska and explore San Francisco, New England, Europe, the Bahamas, South America, and others with Security Gold Club. She always had such interesting stories to share, such as seeing a mushroom cloud at an adjacent air base while she was hanging out the wash and being on a short airplane flight with the entire cast of Shenandoah.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Judy, and two beloved nieces, Lenore and Sheila. She is survived by daughter Robyn (Brad) Pekas of Tampa, daughter Amy (Brad) Cover of Alliance, brother Tom Tuchek of Rushville, sister Laura (Brent) Garrison of Arnold, grandson Mason Cover and wife Amanda and great grandchildren Annie and Keith of Olathe, Kansas, and sister-in-law Janet (Richard) Jaggers of Alliance, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and wonderful friends.

Our cherished Mum, grandma, sister, aunt, and friend will be missed so much until we see her again in Heaven. We ended each visit or call with a loving, “Bye for now,” and that is our assurance--that we will see her and hold her again someday. We love you, Mum. Bye for now.

Services will be held October 5, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Hay Springs United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Hay Springs Cemetary.

Memorials are suggested to the Hay Springs Senior Center.