Alice Lukas

Alice Lukas, age 84, of Calmar, Iowa, passed away Sunday, June 29, 2025, at Ossian Care Center in Ossian, Iowa.

Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 304 S. Maryville St., Calmar, Iowa, with Pastor Huber presiding. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 7, 2025, at Helms Funeral Homes/ French Chapel, 202 South Washington St., Calmar, Iowa. Rosary and scripture service will begin at 3:15 p.m., including time for sharing memories of Alice.

She was born March 13th, 1941, to Mary (Schmitz) and Gustave Wieling. Growing up in Calmar, Iowa, she was the youngest of four girls.

Alice was a member of the first graduating class of South Winneshiek High School in 1959 and a lifelong member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, where she directed and sang in the adult choir for many years.

In June 1964, Alice married Lester Lukas. To this union, two children were born, Dana (Hal) Sailsbury of Ames and Allen (Amy) Lukas of Amana.

Alice was employed by the Ma Bell telephone company in Decorah until it closed. She then went to work for the Calmar grocery store, where she loved meeting and chatting with customers. From there, she went to work at Buchheit Appliance, using her organizational and bookkeeping skills, until she retired.

Alice enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved to cross-stitch and crochet. She made many beautiful pieces for her family to treasure forever. She also enjoyed solitaire and many other games on her computer. She enjoyed cooking for her family and making a family favorite pickle relish. She loved cardinals and enjoyed adding to her collection.

Alice is survived by her husband Lester, two children Dana and Allen, 5 grandchildren, Chelsea and Isaac Bright of Bondurant, Iowa, Zach and Kara Lukas of Sioux Falls, SD, Alex Sailsbury of New Richmond, WI, Megan Lukas and fiancé Enrique Zavala of Rochester, MN, Jack Sailsbury of Ames, one great-grandchild, Bennett Bright, a sister Rosalyn Baldwin of San Diego, CA, and to her nieces and nephews she will fondly be remembered as Aunt Toodie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gus and Mary Wieling, and sisters Mary Jane Bonestroo and Adalene Busch. Her in-laws, Clara and Lewis Lukas, John Baldwin, sister and brother in-laws, Hubert Busch, Lavina Rilling, Grace Polanski, and Jeanette Sandling.

The family wishes to thank the Ossian Senior Hospice nurses and staff for the wonderful care Alice received while living there. Their care and patience were a great comfort during a difficult time.