Mary Darlene Lucht, daughter of Russell and Edna Smith II was born August 28, 1934, in Richland Nebraska. She departed this life Sunday July 17, 2022, in her home in Strafford, Missouri, at the age of 87.

She was born and raised in Richland, Nebraska and attended the Richland and Schuyler Schools. On September 9, 1950, she was united in marriage to Harlan D. Lucht in Columbus, Nebraska. To this union four sons Jim, Derald, Dwayne, and Tim and three daughters Sandi, Cheri, and Shelli were born. They lived in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Missouri before making their home in Strafford, Missouri. Through the years, Mary was a devoted homemaker to her family. She also worked out of the home for Montgomery Ward Candy Department, Boys Town of Nebraska, and multiple grocery stores and restaurants. She enjoyed cooking large meals for her family, gardening, crossword books, garage sales, puzzles, and Rumikub. She mostly enjoyed watching her kids and all her grandchildren grow into beautiful souls. She was well known for loving hugs and beautiful smiles. Mary had made her profession in faith in Christ at an early age. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Mary was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them during her lifetime.

She was proceeded in death by her parents Russell and Edna Smith II husband Harlan Lucht, her sons Jim and Dwayne Lucht, siblings Russell Smith III, Idella Valish, George Smith, and Ester Long, and several in-laws, family and friends.

Mary is survived by her sons Derald Lucht, Tim (Ginger) Lucht, her daughters Sandi (Don) Gregory, Cheri (Dennis) Wilch, and Shelli (Wayne) Brabec. Her loving caregiver and granddaughter Jessica (Sean) Brantner. Several grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, great-great-great grandchildren, and many family members and friends.

A visitation will be held from 6-8 PM on Friday, July 22, 2022 at the Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at White Chapel, 5234 W. State Hwy EE, Springfield, MO 65802 with funeral services to follow at 11 AM on Saturday, July 23, 2022. Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Chacot-Marie-Tooth Association, PO Box 105, Glenolden, PA 19036 or to Boys Town, 14100 Crawford St., Boys Town, NE 68010. Online condolences can be made at www.klingnerfuneralhome.com

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then someone says:

"There, she is gone!"        "Gone where?"

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and bull and spar as she was when she left my side, and she is just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!" There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!" and that is dying…

-Henry Van Dyke-