Ciel Helen Faulkner

On Thursday, July 9, 2026, Lucille "Ciel" Helen Faulkner passed away peacefully at home, with loved ones by her side, following a short journey with glioblastoma. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Ciel was born on October 17, 1951, in North Troy, Vermont, to Lawrence and Helen Vincent. Her family moved several times throughout her childhood before eventually settling in Spencer, Iowa, in 1969 where she built the life and community she would call home for the rest of her years. She graduated from Mishawaka High School in Mishawaka, Indiana in 1969. She briefly attended the University of Iowa and Morningside College and later graduated from Spencer School of Business. Ciel worked at many jobs before dedicating nearly 12 years of service as a jailer for the Clay County Jail before retiring in 2015.

The greatest love of Ciel's life was her husband, Jerry, who affectionately called her "Precious." They were united in marriage on January 27, 1989. Together for 46 years and married for 36, they built a marriage on love, laughter, stubborn determination, forgiveness, and the quiet decision to keep choosing each other, day after day. Like any marriage that spans decades, they weathered life's challenges, but they never gave up.

Nothing brought Ciel greater joy than being a mother and grandmother. Her home was a gathering place where holidays were celebrated, birthdays were treasured, and grandchildren always knew they belonged. Alongside Jerry, she created countless memories through camping trips, family vacations, walkabouts and simply spending quality time together. Ciel loved deeply. She was stubborn, loyal, sensitive, and rarely afraid to speak her mind. She expected honesty, hard work, and kindness from those around her. She could set you straight one minute and remind you how much she loved you the next. Her family never questioned her love.

If you knew Ciel, you knew she never cooked "just enough." Holiday meals always included far more food than anyone could possibly eat because feeding people was one of the purest ways she knew to express love. Christmas was her favorite season, and she delighted in decorating her home and creating traditions her family will carry forward for generations. In the summer, she found joy tending her flower and vegetable gardens, generously sharing her harvest, traveling in the camper, browsing thrift stores for hidden treasures, and never passing up an opportunity to go shopping. Her hands were rarely still, whether she was crocheting blankets and keepsakes for those she loved or finding another thoughtful way to care for family, friends, and neighbors.

Following the heartbreaking loss of her cherished granddaughter, Shayla, in 2005, Ciel found another way to serve others through the Shayla Bee Fund. She faithfully supported the organization's annual Craft and Bake Sale by donating handmade crafts, baked goods, homemade candies, and countless volunteer hours.

Ciel is survived by her devoted husband, Jerry; her children, Tracey (Anna) of Mound, MN; Leslie (fiancé Dwight) of Saint Paul, MN; Lindsay of Spencer; and Jared (Yvonne) of Spencer; her grandchildren, Matthew, Sydney, Brandon, Aydan, Isabel, Kylan, Eliana, Esmerelda, Aniston, Jason, Joey, and Jacob; her sister, Elaine Dailey (Kevin); and many beloved family members, both chosen and by blood, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Helen; her sister, Lorraine; and her beloved granddaughter, Shayla.

Though her absence leaves an immeasurable void, her love will continue to guide those she leaves behind. She will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always loved.

A celebration of Lucille's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests honoring Lucille's memory by spending time with loved ones, sharing a home-cooked meal, lending a helping hand to someone in need, or supporting the Shayla Bee Fund—continuing the work that meant so much to her.