Rena Joyce Tucker

Rena Tucker ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Hood Funeral Home & Crematory on Mar. 17, 2026.Rena Joyce Tucker, a longtime resident of Joliet, Illinois, and formerly from the Terre Haute, Indianaarea, passed peacefully in her sleep early Thursday morning, March 5, 2026, just three weeks shyof her 97 th birthday.She was born March 27, 1929, to the late Florence (nee Wolf) and Ralph Fretz in Terre Haute andwas raised on a farm outside of town. She attended Terre Haute area schools where she graduatedfrom 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 devotedgrandmother of Delaney Witbrod.She is preceded in death by her husband Eugene (2021), daughter Marressa (2020) and herparents.Shortly after high school, she married Eugene, a childhood country neighbor that lived just 2 milesaway. Married on February 22, 1948, their wedding pictures testify it was a winter day so beautifuland 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 independentlyuntil the end. When asked by medical personnel about her list of medications, she took greatpleasure in answering-none.With 3 children in 3 years and 3 months, Rena was a full-time homemaker for many years. Atalented 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 thejewelry department, proving to be not only a great employee, but arguably one of their bestcustomers.Rena led by example, both as a mother and as a Christian. Known for her deep faith and desire tobe part of her church community, she started playing piano for church services. Over time, shediscovered 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 becamethe youth choir director, leading a group of 20 teenagers that thrived on four-part harmonies andannual cantatas. Always generous with her time and support, she often said, "Giving makes me feelgood."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 andmake 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 thecommencement speech to the delight of fellow graduates and attendees alike.A celebration memorial will be announced in the near future.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.