BRAINERD — Lynnie Loucks planned to “dress to impress” with her daughter Monday, May 9, for a poker league where she’s a regular player.
Instead, the event will be a tribute to her life. Loucks was the victim of an April 28 homicide north of Brainerd.
Shawn Pittman, the creator and the founder of the Brainerd Lakes Area Poker League , is hosting “Ladies Night for Lynnie” at Jr's No. 19 BBQ in Brainerd. It’s a free event for women to come together in celebration of Loucks’ life and her love of poker.
“Lynnie was gonna dress up for that night, just to dress up,” Pittman said. “(She) and her daughters were just gonna wear cocktail dresses.”
He and his dealers banded together after hearing about the tragedy and were thinking of wearing purple, a color used in association with domestic violence awareness, in solidarity and to raise awareness. Instead, Loucks’ family asked if the group would dress up for that night to remember the life of a fun and bubbly woman.
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“The family requested everyone, if you want, to dress to impress,” Pittman said. “So all of our dealers are going to do our best to dress up as much as we can.”
Established in 2017, the group is a way for people to get together and learn about the game without the risk of losing the house, Pittman said.
“(Lynnie) came and played at least for the last three months or so,” Pittman said. “And the last time that we did a normal game, she actually sat at my table with her daughter and I dealt to them. (We) had some good conversations on break.”
With doors opening about 4 p.m. and poker starting at 6 p.m., Pittman said cookie sales during the event will be donated to the Loucks family.
“All that money's gonna go directly to the family,” Pittman said. “We just want as many people to come through the door and either check us out and buy cookies or buy food, hang out and donate to the family.”
During the event, they will have a table set up with information about domestic violence along with a QR code for donations to the Loucks family.
Pittman said he and his volunteers created personalized poker chips to use in future games as a way to continue bringing awareness to domestic violence, long after “Ladies Night for Lynnie.”
Loucks, 43, was found dead April 28 at a residence north of Brainerd she shared with Michael Lowell Munger, 53. Munger was arraigned April 29 in Crow Wing County District Court on charges of second-degree murder .
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A memorial service for Loucks will be Saturday, May 14, at Heritage Church in Baxter. There will be a visitation for friends and family 1-4 p.m., with the service beginning at 4 p.m.. Arrangements are with Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter.
If you go
Doors open for “Ladies Night for Lynnie” about 4 p.m. at Jr's No. 19 BBQ, 302 Washington St., Brainerd — the former location of Brick House Pizza.
Poker starts at 6 p.m. and patrons are encouraged to “dress to impress” in memory of Loucks.
TIM SPEIER, staff writer, can be reached on Twitter @timmy2thyme , call 218-855-5859 or email tim.speier@brainerddispatch.com .
