Obituary of Valerie Jean Leuck

Valerie Pierce Leuck

On October 22, 2022, Valerie Pierce Leuck, loving mother, grandmother, and wife, passed away peacefully at age 75, surrounded by family. Valerie was born on July 21, 1947, in Chicago, IL, to John Howard (Jack) and Pearl (née Dritlein) Pierce. She received her teaching degree from the University of Iowa, where she met her husband, Michael Leuck, when he was delighted with his good fortune on a blind date. They were married on August 24th, 1968. They raised three children and gave their hearts and energy to four grandchildren. Valerie was known for her endless generosity and kindness, which radiated from her beautiful smile. She lived with grace and was forever drawn to lighten the burden of others. Valerie had eternal patience with those she nurtured. She taught her students in California with creativity and passion, and kept those children in her heart throughout her life. She gave her own children and grandchildren the gift of music. Valerie deeply shaped their lives by embracing their music education from very early ages and never gave up amidst torrents of tantrums. Her talent for teaching with love, and her ability to invent irresistible bribes, were tested but never failed during those early years. Valerie’s respect and appreciation for nature led to beautiful gardens, a yard full of woodland creatures, a house full of pets, and children who learned to love all living things (except maybe snails). Her lesser-known skills, like driving a motorboat in a storm, appropriating extra pieces of cake at weddings, and being on call as “Dr. Val”, were known by few, but deeply appreciated.
 

Valerie is survived by her husband, Michael Leuck, her children, Daniel (Mika), Katherine (Andrew), Anne-Marie, and her brother, Jeffrey Pierce. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Victoria Collins. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org. 

“Every blade in the field–every leaf in the forest–lays down its life in its season as beautifully as it was taken up.”  -Henry David Thoreau