Margaret Lueking, 88, of Waterloo, died Sept. 9, 2025, in Waterloo. She was born May 30, 1937 in Valmeyer.

Margaret worked as a flight attendant with American Airlines. In 1965, she trained in Washington, D.C., and worked for the Department of State at the U.S Embassy in Manila, Philippines, and the American Consulate, in Windsor, Canada. She then worked at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in St. Louis.

After she retired in 1997, she stayed very active volunteering at Bellson Animal Hospital for 26 years and also worked part-time with Allen Brand Construction.

Her motto was “Pay it forward. Don’t let the chain of love end with you.” 

Margaret is a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Waterloo.

She is survived by her nieces Elaine (Robert) Briggs and Denise (Brian) Wiese; stepbrother Lyle (Laverne) Hoffmann; and great-nephews Thomas (Abby) Wiese, Andrew (Gabrielle) Wiese and Travis (Alysha) Mathews.

She is preceded in death by her parents Walter E. and Leona (nee Diemert) Lueking; brother Walter R. (Helen M.) Lueking; and great-niece Andrea Mathews.

Visitation is noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 19 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo.

A funeral service will follow visitation at the funeral home with Rev. Kyle Timmons officiating.

Interment will be at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo.

As an expression of sympathy, the family prefers memorial contributions to St. Paul United Church of Christ, Waterloo.