Mike Lucas

Michael Douglas Lucas, 72, of Arnold, NE passed away on May 1, 2023.  Michael (“Mike”) was born March 13, 1951, to Robert Joseph and Viola Ada (Spencer) in Arnold, NE as the eldest brother to sister Betty Jo (“Jo”) and brother Phillip (“Phil”).

Mike attended Arnold High School, graduating in 1969. He then attended college at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln where he was a member of the rodeo club. He then transferred to North Platte Junior College to be closer to home and family.  After college, Mike followed his friend, Vernon Long, to Rifle, Colorado to work as a ranch hand at the Norell Ranch, ridin’ the range, fixin’ fence, tendin’ to cattle, breakin’ horses and all the things that cowboys do.  Mike and Vernon returned home to Arnold, where Mike worked at Beshaler’s gravel pit, Grayston Cool’s Lazy S Ranch, and again joined Vernon to work at the Graceland Cattle Company.

Mike met and later married Marcille Marie (“Marcy”) Horner of Burwell, NE on June 16, 1978. A few years later, in March 1981, they welcomed their son, Matthew Ryan, into the family. This upcoming June marks their 45^th wedding anniversary.  

Mike had his own fencing business, along with cousin Ed Larsen, working throughout the central Nebraska area. When the farm and ranch economy took a drastic downturn in the early 1980s, Mike contemplated going back to school to become a lawyer but opted to raise sheep instead. Due to the fickle nature of sheep, Mike began moving snow for the Village of Arnold, working his way up to Village Superintendent.  He served as superintendent for both Arnold and Broken Bow, later switching full time to Utility Superintendent for Broken Bow overseeing electric, water, and sewer utilities.  Mike then accepted a position with the Nebraska Rural Water Association, traveling throughout the state conducting training and performing inspections for small municipalities’ water and sewer systems. He retired in 2020.

Mike was a cowboy and outdoorsmen through and through, preferring the wide-open spaces to the hustle and crowds of city life. He always found peace and wonderment in nature and God’s creations and loved to camp beneath the stars. His life revolved around his son and hunting and fishing. He passed on his own love of the outdoors to his son and nephew Lucas. Mike shared his passion for the outdoors and bow-hunting with others as an instructor for Bow Hunter Education and as a member in the Nebraska Bowhunters Association. Mike enjoyed hunting deer, elk, antelope, turkey, waterfowl, and wild hogs. He and his son traveled to Ontario, Canada for a northwoods bear hunt and would often recall memories from their adventures. Mike was an avid fisherman and particularly enjoyed fishing on the Calamus Reservoir and the many lakes of the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge.  Mike was a master ice-fisher and would jig fish after fish out of the hole.

Mike is survived by his wife Marcy, Arnold, NE; son, Matthew Lucas (and Jessica), Hill City, SD; grandchildren Bridger and Kimber Lucas; sister, Jo Rosentrater (and Craig), Highlands Ranch, CO; brother Phil Lucas (and Kendra), Arnold, NE; cousin Ed Larsen (and Jane), North Platte, NE; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Mike is preceded in death by both his parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Arnold Baptist Church, 101 W. 7^th Ave, Arnold, NE at 10:30 am, followed by graveside services at the Arnold Cemetery, and a fellowship luncheon at the Arnold Baptist Church. Donations in memorial of Michael D. Lucas may be directed to the family at 80625 Dunning Rd, Arnold, NE 69120 to be split between the North Platte Women’s Resource Center, Arnold Public Library, and the Nebraska Bowhunter’s Association.