Lucy Rhea Aschenbrenner

Lucy Rhea Aschenbrenner was born Dec. 27, 1951, to Carl and Elsie (Almquist) Erickson in Fort Dodge. Her name was inspired by the very popular show, “I Love Lucy.” Lucy spent her early years on the family farm near Pomeroy, where she picked up her mom’s ability to make the best apple pie. Growing up, she spent endless hours playing in the grove with her sisters, brother and neighbor kids but also pitched in with farm chores, herding the cows, walking beans and baling hay. Lucy attended school in Pomeroy where she enjoyed playing the flute and tenor sax, singing in choir, acting in school plays and cheerleading. She was confirmed at the Pomeroy Covenant Church. Lucy and her sister, Corinne, also sang many duets for church and family events. She graduated from Pomeroy High School in 1970 and moved to Maryville, Missouri, where she completed her four-year teaching degree and met her future husband, Mark Anderson. They lived in Kansas City, where they welcomed Craig and later divorced. She met and married Don Aschenbrenner, and they made their home in Laurens, where they raised their two daughters, Carrie and Crista, Lucy’s son, Craig, and Don’s son, Jason. Following their divorce, Lucy moved to Spencer.

The role of homemaker was front and center in Lucy’s life. She was very dedicated to raising her children. Everyone, including her kids’ friends, knew her cooking and baking talents. In addition to being a homemaker, Lucy fulfilled her passion for teaching by being a substitute teacher and tutor in Spencer and surrounding schools. She also worked retail at various stores in the Spencer Mall. Later in life, she enjoyed making meals and desserts and sharing them with her neighbors in Spencer, where she resided for more than 30 years. Her “little condo” gave her a sense of pride, and she kept it so tidy and decorated beautifully.

Family was everything to Lucy. She loved spending time with her girls, chatting on the phone, family get-togethers and seeing her grandchildren. Lucy had a great sense of humor and was known for several classic April Fool’s pranks. She became quite the puzzler in later years and passed the time with word search puzzles. She loved listening to music and watching her favorite TV shows including "Gunsmoke," "The Golden Girls," "The Voice" and figure skating.

Lucy’s children greatly admired her faith in God, strength and perseverance through difficult days and moments. She frequently quoted her own mother’s saying, “Life is great if you don’t weaken.” Lucy entered the glorious gates of heaven on Thursday morning, April 3, 2025, at Pipestone County Hospice Home in Pipestone, Minnesota, after a very courageous and short battle with lymphoma.

Left to cherish Lucy’s memory include her son, Craig Anderson of Kansas City, Missouri; daughters, Carrie (Jesse) Zens of Slayton, Minnesota; and Crista (Greg) Wenisch of Big Lake, Minnesota; grandchildren, Carter Zens, Jack Zens, Brenner Zens, Rylee Wenisch; granddog Charlie Wen; siblings, Carolyn Berglund of Stratford, Paula (Wil) Freeseman of Ankeny, Corinne (Ron) Peterson of Pocahontas, and Monte (Deb) Erickson of Pomeroy; many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Lucy was preceded in death by her granddaughter Braelynne Wenisch, brother-in-law Harold Berglund, and her parents, Carl and Elsie Erickson.