Lucille Loretta Thiltgen (Pollock), age 96 of Galena, IL, died in hospice care on Sunday, November 16, 2025. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Galena, where friends may call after 10 AM at the church until the time of mass. Burial will be in Nativity BVM Cemetery, Menominee, IL. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 PM on Friday, November 28, 2025, at the Furlong Funeral Chapel in Galena. Lucille was born to Elmer J. and Florence K. (Hoffmann) Pollock on May 21, 1929. She attended a one-room schoolhouse with eight students in Zwingle, IA, and then St. Columbkille High School in Dubuque. After attending high school, she helped take care of her brother and sister, Jim and Mary Ann, on her parents’ farm until meeting and marrying her husband, Oswald “Ossie” Thiltgen. They were married on September 14, 1949, at St. Theresa’s Church, LaMotte, IA. She and her husband, Ossie, farmed together for thirty-one years until the farm was sold in 1980. She butchered and processed hogs and chickens for the family, milked cows, did fieldwork and housework, canned produce from the garden, sewed clothes for the children, and raised the children. If that wasn’t enough, she also worked other jobs during her life, including working at a battery factory, selling Tupperware for nineteen years, owning and operating an antique/collectibles store for twenty-five years until the age of 95, and operating a Bed & Breakfast out of their home. She had many hobbies, including playing cards (euchre), putting puzzles together, baking pies, quilting, and ceramics. She was a great collector of antiques, Beanie Babies, glassware, dolls, all types of figurines, and many other items too numerous to mention. Lucille had some unique expressions that gave one a sense of how she viewed life. When asked about how or why things happened in the past, she said: “That was just living, that’s the way it was”. Her attitude about solving problems was: “If you are given lemons in life, learn how to make lemonade,” and “When things get tough, you have to do things you don’t want to do.” She had a get-up-and-go attitude. While Lucille could have a straightforward, no-nonsense approach at times, she had a soft spot in her heart for those who were down, having a hard time, or just needing help, whether it was a family member or a complete stranger. One could count on her to help in any way she could, no questions asked. She was a rock of dependability. Her two greatest loves in life were: taking care of her children and grandchildren and taking care of flowers! Her yard was filled with flowers of many types, and she continued to plant new bulbs in the fall, even when she knew she might not be there in the spring to see them bloom. She had a “green thumb” and couldn’t help herself in wanting to see things grow. She was always a farmer at heart. She had as many as sixty potted plants in her apartment before her passing. She was known as the “flower lady” at the assisted living facility and was asked for her advice on caring for flowers. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother who will be sadly missed. Lucille is survived by her children; Laurene (Dave) Case, Shirley (Clete Wachter) Hulscher, Ruth Gallagher, Jerry (Cathy) Thiltgen, Diane Haque, Donna Masters, Pat (Donnie) Nellis, Sue (Rick) Nemec, Mary Leifker, John (Maggie) Thiltgen and Joe (Cathy) Thiltgen, twenty one grandchildren and twenty one great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and a sister Mary Ann (Butch) Breitbach, a sister-in-law Elaine Pollock as well as many nieces and nephews. Lucille was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two brothers, Raymond and James; a sister, Darlene; and four sons-in-law, Butch Hulscher, Tim Gallagher, Sattar Haque, and Dale Leifker; a grandson, Jordan Duerr; and a great-granddaughter, Kyla. The family requests no flowers. A special thank you goes to the staff at Midwest Medical Center Assisted Living in Galena and Hospice of Dubuque. Your kindness and compassion will always be remembered.
Lucille L. Thiltgen
I will miss Lucille’s wisdom and sassy wit. She was one of a kind, for sure. What a legacy she leaves. May Jesus welcome her with his loving arms and enjoy her as we did.
We are sorry to hear this news. She was a wonderful person. Sending many hugs to the family.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Lucille was a spunky little lady with a big heart. Great memories for all to share.
Sending Love, I’m so very sorry for your loss.
Lucille was one of the nicest person that I had the pleasure of knowing. It was always nice talking to her about. antiques and life. So sorry for your loss
Lucille & family were very kind & caring neighbors. She would always give a honk & a wave when she went up the road. Our sympathy & prayers on your loss.
Lucille was a spit and vinegar gal! She always had a spunky reply, but a very lovely lady at heart!❤️ 🙏
Donna and family,
I am sorry I didn’t have the opportunity to meet your mom! She was fortunate to have all of you as her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was very rich in family.
When we lose our moms, we lose a part of ourselves. But they live on in us.
xoxoxo
Shelley Becknell
She was small in stature but a giant in living a fulfilling life. My sympathy to her family.
So very sorry to hear. She was a vibrant and humble woman. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
I will always remember n Love Lucille who Iv had the privilege of knowing for 28 years. We spent many nights at their BnB. She n I would stay up talking half the nite every time too. I Loved her stories!! She cracked me up!! I valued our friendship so much. She would always say “U come anytime, U know the combination, Ur like 1 of our own n make Urself ta home”. We always Loved Ozzi too. What a Sweet Soul was he, so kind n down to earth. I was able to make it up to his 90th Birthday party. A couple I feel so fortunate to have known.
I grew up with Lucille and her family on the farm near Zwingle Ia. We spent many a Sunday afternoons playing ball and going to ballgames. Her sister Darlene and i baby sat her brother Jim and Mary Ann when they were small. ‘ Lucille was small in size ,but huge at being a good person. Rest in Peace Lucille’
I will always remember n Love Lucille who Iv had the privilege of knowing for 28 years. We spent many nights at their BnB. She n I would stay up talking half the nite every time too. I Loved her stories!! She cracked me up!! I valued our friendship so much. She would always say “U come anytime, U know the combination, Ur like 1 of our own n make Urself ta home”. We always Loved Ozzi too. What a Sweet Soul was he, so kind n down to earth. I was able to make it up to his 90th Birthday party. A couple I feel so fortunate to have known.
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing.
I feel fortunate to have known Lucille.
She and Ozzie impacted my life so positively – just by being great models.
Sorry for your loss Thiltgen family.