Kathleen Liechty Stucker

Educator, Veteran, Founder of Pleasant Storm’s First School

Kathleen Liechty Stucker

Kathleen Liechty was born in 1849 to an immigrant family living on the Texas frontier near what would later become Pleasant Storm, Texas. At just fourteen years old, after her family was violently killed during regional conflict remembered in local history alongside the Spanish-American War era, Kathleen made a decision that would define her life.
Disguising herself as a young man, she enlisted in the Confederate Army late in the Civil War. She served under the command of Lieutenant Corey Stucker, known among his men as “Mad Dog” Stucker for his relentless resolve in battle. Shortly after her enlistment, Lt. Stucker discovered Kathleen’s true identity—but instead of exposing her, he protected her secret, allowing her to serve through the end of the war.
When the war concluded in 1865, Kathleen revealed herself openly. She and Corey “Mad Dog” Stucker were married soon after and returned to Texas determined to build something lasting from the aftermath of conflict. Kathleen became a schoolteacher and went on to establish the first formal school in Pleasant Storm, guided by her belief that education was the strongest foundation a community could have.
Together, Kathleen and Corey raised three children—Caitlin, Madison, and Aaden—and Kathleen emerged as one of Pleasant Storm’s most respected civic voices. She was a fierce advocate for learning, a steady moral presence, and a protector of the town’s children.
In February 1899, during the Great Texas Blizzard, Kathleen led efforts that saved a group of stranded schoolchildren from freezing to death. Though the children survived, Kathleen contracted pneumonia during the rescue. She passed away in March 1899, at the age of 49, only weeks after the storm.
Her legacy endures.
To this day, Kathleen Liechty Stucker Grade School honors her life and service by celebrating Dixie Days each September, a tradition dedicated to remembrance, resilience, and the enduring spirit of Pleasant Storm.