Lutjens, Greg 1947-2012

LUTJENS, ARENDSON, VOGELZANG

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg (email)
Date: 5/2/2012 at 07:21:29

Lutjens, Greg
June 18, 1947--- April 27, 2012
Home Town: Rock Valley, Iowa
Deceased Date: Friday, April 27, 2012

Service: Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Address: Porter Funeral Home
1704 15th St.
Rock Valley, IA 51247 　
Gregory "Bear" Lutjens, 64, died Friday, April 27, 2012 at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD surrounded by his family. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at Porter Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Molenaar officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at Porter Funeral Home with family present from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Online condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Greg was born June 18, 1947 to Elmer and Patricia (Arendson) Lutjens in Rock Rapids, IA. Greg married his dear love, Laura Vogelzang on April 4, 1970. They soon started their little family in Hull, Iowa moving to North Dakota before settling down in Rock Valley. Greg opened "Greg’s Bar and Grill" in Hull, Iowa. This allowed him to devote more time to his family, friends, motorcycles, storytelling, drinks and food. The Bear then moved into his career as a welder and pipe fitter. You couldn’t travel far in Iowa and South Dakota without Greg pointing out the buildings he worked on. In 1986 Laura passed away. Greg was always up to the task of raising his 3 kiddos. The Bear was an even better father than bartender.

In 2004, Greg’s legs were amputated below the knees due to diabetes, but not even this could slow him down. However, it did force him to trade in his 2 wheel cruise for a 4-wheeler. Greg’s wonderful humor and ability to overcome obstacles made him the person his family loved and admired. In 2009, Greg moved to Sioux Falls. He enjoyed living in the "big city". Greg’s greatest loves were his 8 grandchildren. Now known as "Bunka Bear", his grandchildren filled his heart and fueled his motivation to keep rolling.

Greg is survived by his son, Glenn (Jodi) Lutjens of Rock Valley; daughters, Rhiannon (Roy) Weber of Sioux Falls, SD and Renee (Travis) Dominisse of Hudson, SD; sister, Debra (Jerry) Morris of Texas; and 8 grandchildren, Micheala Den Besten, Jordan Lutjens, Kobe Lutjens, Cael Weber, Kyra Weber, Makenzy Dominisse, Jaden Dominisse, and Landon Dominisse. Greg was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Laura.

Source: Porter Funeral Home: Rock Valley, Ia., obit.