Lucas Luna

Funeral services for Lucas G. (Pete) Luna, age 72, of Hollandale will be held 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 8, 2011 at The Church of St. Theodore.  Father Tim Reker and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate.  Interment will be at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, rural Geneva, with Military Honors accorded by Freeborn County area veteran’s organizations.  Visitation will be from 4-7:00 Thursday, July 7th at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home with a prayer service in English at 6:30 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church. 

Lucas died suddenly due to complications with pancreatitis Monday, July 4, 2011 at District One Hospital in Faribault.

Lucas G. Luna was born October 18, 1938, to Felix and Manuela (Gonzales) Luna in Minnesota Lake, MN.  On February 9, 1957, he was united in marriage to Gloria Gomez at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, rural Geneva. Lucas was a lifetime resident of the Hollandale area.  Prior to serving two years in the United States Army, he helped his father on the farm.  Upon completing his two years of active duty, he continued his military background by joining the National Guard Reserves.  While serving 29 years, he received many awards for his time as a leader and dedication to the Reserves.  He worked at Wilson Foods for 26 years and he helped local farmers with fall harvesting.  While in the Reserves, he participated in the Color Guard in the 135^th Infantry Division, Albert Lea and later transferring to the 47^th S&T BN, Austin.  He also was the founder of the Winter Operations, as a ski Instructor, where he trained men how to ski at Fort Ripley.  He was known to his buddies as “Taco.”  Lucas retired from the National Guard Reserves in 1987.  Lucas enjoyed fishing, being outdoors, spending time with his grandchildren and family members.  He loved visiting with people; he was a social talker and was very good at it.  Lucas was a member of the Moose Club and American Legion.  At age 53, Lucas was in and out of nursing homes due to a farm accident.  While stays there, he enjoyed his time with residents and attended Mass when he could.  He was a devoted Catholic.

Survivors include his wife, Gloria of Hollandale; seven children, and 19 grandchildren; son Urban Luna of Clarks Grove, his children, Nick Luna and Chelsie Luna, son, Lucas (Deb) Luna of Hollandale and their children, Laura (Tim) Benesch, Cassie (Cody) Stackis, David Luna and Missy Luna, son, Mathew (Randie) Luna of Clarks Grove, their children, Nicole Luna, Nick Lee Luna, Sarah Jo Luna (fiancé Chad Shaper), and Amy Luna, son, Mark (Marie) Luna of Maplewood, their son Matthew Luna, daughter, Dolores (Jeff) Weberg of Hollandale and their children Angela Weberg (fiancé, Tony O’Connell), Amber Weberg fiancé, (Dustin Olson), son, Pat (Tarla) Luna of Wanamingo and their children, Nina Luna, Mike Luna (fiancé, Kilee Mikesh), son, Jon (Kristie) Luna of Austin and their children, Jason Luna, Jessica Luna, Joshua Thorson and Jacob Thorson; great-grandchildren, Landon, Rylan, Dominic, Ava, Gracie and Patrick; sisters and brothers, Cecilia Ortiz, Robert Luna, Cecilia Rogers and Ray Luna.

Lucas was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters, Guadalupe Duenes, Casimira Gomez, Jesus Luna, Alejandra Silva, Tomasa Serrano, Gregoria Cruz, Eddie Luna, Andrew Luna, Maltide Luna and Monica Luna.

Although you left us without saying goodbye, you will be missed deeply and will forever be in our thoughts and prayers all the days of our lives.