She was born Nov. 10, 1927 to Clifford and Dora (Krah) Gruber on the family farm north-east of Thayer. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Zion Lutheran Church LCMS in Thayer. She attended Zion Lutheran School, Thayer High School, and graduated from York High School in 1945. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church for 74 years, joined Faith Lutheran Church in 2002, and served on the Ladies Aid, LWML, and Farmerettes Extension Club.
On April 6, 1947 she married Walter Heine. They were blessed with three sons, Larry, Ralph and Virgil; along with eight grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Walt and Lucille lived on the farm south-west of Thayer where they raised their family, farmed, raised hogs, cattle, chickens, and ducks. She enjoyed living on the farm, cooking, gardening, sewing, and having coffee with friends.
She is survived by her sons, Larry (Cynthia) Heine of Waco, Ralph (Susan) Heine of Ceresco and Virgil (Kathleen) Heine of York. Grandchildren, Greg (Tricia) Heine of Neola, Iowa, Tena (Chad) Ehlers of Waco, Jontelle (Tim) Forbus of Faber, Va., Darin (Susan Steele) Heine of Lincoln, Christina (Justin) Dose of Hampton, Melissa (Lucas) Stewart of Long Pine, Tiffany (Brandon) Suhr of McCool Jct. and Andrew Heine, of York. Great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Samuel Ehlers, Spencer, Dylan, Garrett and Charlotte Heine, Nolan Rada, Deven and Eric Dose, Kaylinn Suhr and baby-girl Stewart.
She is also survived by her extended family, Bryce (Janet) Nielsen of Stromsburg and family, Joyce (Jim) Prochaska of Ulysses and family, Janese (Jim) Seaberg of Stromsburg and family, Rick (Vicki) Gruber of Waco and family, Vicky (Rod) Kopcho of York and family, Shelly (Stephen) Folkinburg of Lincoln and family, sister Frances (Wendell) Starr of Hastings and sister-in-law, Florence Gruber of Waco.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Donald and Richard (Jnel) Gruber; brother-in-law, Alvin Ehlers; grandniece, Debra Nielsen and great-grandson, Cooper Stewart.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 18, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Church, York with the Reverend Dr. Heath Trampe officiating. Burial will follow at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Thayer. Visitation will be held from 5 – 9 p.m. on Wednesday and 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Thursday, with family greeting friends Thursday evening from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the Lutheran Hour, Faith Lutheran Church, or to the family for later designation.