Peg (Leu) Speck
On the morning of May 2, 2026, Peg lost her battle to lymphoma and passed peacefully at her daughter’s home, surrounded by her children, her siblings, her husband, and very dear friends.
Peggy Louise was born in York, Nebraska to Duane and Pearl (Teegerstrom) Leu. She was raised in Stromsburg, NE and graduated from Stromsburg High School in 1976. She moved to Omaha to attend Nursing School in the Fall of 1976 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She graduated in 1978, and years later completed her BSN at Nebraska Wesleyan University.
In May of 1981, she was united in marriage to Howard E. Speck. Together they had 3 children and raised them in Omaha.
Peg worked proudly as a nurse for 45 years, almost her entire career in Operating Rooms at Clarkson, Bergan, St. Elizabeth’s, and Children’s. She proudly scrubbed in on the first ever adult heart transplant in Nebraska while working at Clarkson, as well as the first ever pediatric heart transplant in Nebraska while working at Children’s. She immensely loved working on the heart team, and cherished every day that she could provide comfort and care to others.
Peg led her life with a servant heart. She showed this by her career in Nursing, making numerous medical missions to Mexico, and her deep involvement at Hanscom, especially most recently being a member and strong advocate for theAccessibility Committee which helped make the church accessible for all. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to her faith, her marriage, her children and grandchildren, her church, and her friendships; consistently putting others before herself.
With what little time she did carve out for herself, she enjoyed reading and studying the Word of God, quilting, pickleball, and spending time with her kids and grands. She proudly made each grandchild a quilt, and was working on quilts for her children. She loved every minute of her almost-50 year career in Nursing and loved to ask the staff at Nebraska Medicine about their own journeys. Many of her nursing coworkers became her lifelong friends, and were like family to her.
Peg was preceded in Death by her Father, Duane Leu, stepfather Robert Holbrook, father in law Howard C. Speck, mother in law Dorothy Speck, brother in law Jim Christensen, brother in law Devon Speck.
Survived by Spouse, Howard E. Speck, Mother, Pearl C. Holbrook, Siblings: Linda Christensen, Vickie Leu, Robert (Stacy) Leu, Children: Corie (Andy) Sass, Megan (Peter) Lupandisha, Michael (Brianna) Speck, Grandchildren Lila, Jacob, Elliott, Malachi, Judah, Eden, Graham, Jack and Mathias, brothers and sisters in-law Cliff (Carol) Speck, Denise (Lee) Potter, Gordon Speck, and many more friends and relatives.
The family would like to give special thanks to Dee, Diana, Julie, Patti, Becky, for your lifelong friendships and support at the very end. Your presence was unwavering and treasured.
The family would also like to thank Dr. Chris D’Angelo for his masterful care and support in the last year of her life. The only thing he could’ve done better is bring her a penguin back fromAntarctica. We are incredibly thankful for the care received at Nebraska Medicine and appreciated most every team member that worked with her. You all brightened our days, made an immeasurable impact on our lives, and we are forever grateful.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Hanscom Park United Methodist Church’s Accessibility Fund or A-T Children’s Project. Celebration of Life will be Thursday May 7th at 11am at Hanscom Park United Methodist Church on 4444 Frances Street, Omaha, NE 68105
