Rebecca Lucas Ueland

Rebecca L. Ueland, 95 of North Mankato, died Saturday, January 23, 2016 at her home.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, January 30, 2016 at First Congregational United Church of Christ (150 Stadium Court, Mankato, MN 56001) with visitation one hour prior. Pastor Dana Mann will officiate. Burial will take place at a later date at Woodlawn Cemetery in Winona.

Rebecca Prentiss Lucas was born on June 8, 1920, to Ward and Frances Prentiss Lucas in Winona, Minnesota. She spent her childhood in Winona and graduated in 1938 from the Baldwin School, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, with high honors in English. She also received honors in English on her College Board examination.

She entered Bennington College, Vermont, majoring in Music. After her sophomore year at Bennington, she began private tutoring in music. She studied counterpoint, orchestration, composition, and piano with Dr. Frederick “Daddy” Lawrence, retired Chair of the Music Department at Carleton College. Under Mady Metzger-Ziegler, she took private voice lessons in St. Paul.

After moving to Chicago in 1941, she was hired as Secretary to the Education Director and to the Editor-in-Chief of the World Book Encyclopedia. In Chicago, she met Arnulf Ueland, Jr., who was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Three months later, they were married on October 29, 1943 at her parents’ home in Winona.

While her husband was overseas during World War II, Rebecca “Beccy” returned to Chicago to continue working at World Book. Following the end of the war, she and her husband, Arnie, lived temporarily in Winona, Minneapolis, and Longview, Washington. She and her family moved to North Mankato in 1950.

A loyal supporter of the community, Rebecca served in many roles. She volunteered as a “Gray Lady” at Immanuel Hospital. She served on the first Board of the Guthrie Theatre and inspired interest in the theatre in southern Minnesota. She participated on committees of the Mankato Symphony Orchestra. She was also an active member of the Board of Planned Parenthood in Minnesota.

A member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, her memorable voice could be heard on Sunday mornings as she sang in the choir for many years. She loved to dance and was a member of both Mr. and Mrs. and Benedicts Dance Clubs. She assisted her husband in his successful campaigns for Mayor of North Mankato and Minnesota State Senator. At the age of 95, she was still an active, long-time member of her study group, Portfolio.

Survivors include her children, Christopher (Joan) Ueland of Minnetonka, Erica Ueland of San Diego, CA and North Mankato; Andreas Ueland of San Diego, CA, and Tor (Susan) Ueland of San Diego, CA; grandchildren, Justin (April) Ueland of Chanhassen; Erik (Kristin) Ueland of Maple Grove, Catherine (Bradley) Slaymaker of Maple Grove, and Jackson Ueland of San Diego; great-grandchildren, Autumn Ueland, Pierce Ueland, Nicholas Ueland, Isabella Ueland, McKenna Ueland, Clara Slaymaker, and Beckett Slaymaker; and many nieces, nephews, and her ever faithful dog, Lucy. Rebecca was preceded in death by her husband, Arnulf Ueland, Jr.; parents, Ward and Frances Lucas; sister, Margaret Gunther, and brothers, Jack Lucas and Laird Lucas.