Rena Joyce Tucker, a longtime resident of Joliet, Illinois, and formerly from the Terre Haute, Indiana
area, passed peacefully in her sleep early Thursday morning, March 5, 2026, just three weeks shy
of her 97 th birthday.
She was born March 27, 1929, to the late Florence (nee Wolf) and Ralph Fretz in Terra Haute and
was raised on a farm outside of town. She attended Terra Haute area schools where she graduated
from high school.
She was the beloved wife of 73 years to the late Eugene Tucker, loving mother of Mark (Kathleen)
Tucker, the late Marressa (Brian) Pearce, and Marla (Frank) Witbrod; proud and devoted
grandmother of Delaney Witbrod.
She is preceded in death by her husband Eugene (2021), daughter Marressa (2020) and her
parents.
Shortly after high school, she married Eugene, a childhood country neighbor that lived just 2 miles
away. Married on February 22, 1948, their wedding pictures testify it was a winter day so beautiful
and sunny that everyone wore smiles, short sleeves and no coats. They lived briefly in Terra Haute,
then moved to St. Lous, Missouri, followed by Rockford, Illinois, and finally Joliet.
Rena stayed in their Joliet home after Eugene's passing, for a total of 65 years, living independently
until the end. When asked by medical personnel about her list of medications, she took great
pleasure in answering—none.
With 3 children in 3 years and 3 months, Rena was a full-time homemaker for many years. A
talented musician her entire life, she also taught piano and organ inside the home for over 20 years.
As the children grew older, she worked at Joliet Junior College and later at Marshall Fields in the
jewelry department, proving to be not only a great employee, but arguably one of their best
customers.
Rena led by example, both as a mother and as a Christian. Known for her deep faith and desire to
be part of her church community, she started playing piano for church services. Over time, she
discovered a self-developed style that allowed her to play hymns with a majestic and melodic,
church-filling sound, making every song sound professional and joyous. From there she became
the youth choir director, leading a group of 20 teenagers that thrived on four-part harmonies and
annual cantatas. Always generous with her time and support, she often said, "Giving makes me feel
good."
A farmer at heart, Rena always had flower and vegetable gardens in Illinois (her home) and Indiana
(her childhood farm), asking Eugene to drive her back and forth so she could provide her TLC and
make sure Eugene stayed as active as she was.
Never one to sit idle, in her eighties she began working on an associate's degree in ministry,
completing her degree at the age of 88. At the graduation ceremony, she delivered the
commencement speech to the delight of fellow graduates and attendees alike.
A celebration memorial will be announced in the near future.