Juanita Alice (Becker) Lutz (1917-2010)

LUTZ, BECKER, SCHROEDER, PAUL, KRENTZ

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 8/6/2012 at 21:27:35

From Adams & Soderstrum Funeral Home obituary, Story County, Iowa:

Juanita Lutz

BORN: January 13, 1917
DIED: October 29, 2010
LOCATION: Ames, Iowa

JUANITA ALICE LUTZ

Juanita was born at home in St. Louis, Missouri, on January 13, 1917, the third of six children born to Lutheran school teacher Louis and Elsie (Schroeder) Becker. She was baptized and confirmed at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, where her father was school principal and where she attended grade school. After high school she completed a secretarial course and worked as a bookkeeper.

She married Rev. Arnold J. Lutz on April 22, 1944. They served as missionaries to India for nearly 42 years, finally retiring to Ames, Iowa, in 1988. They began their service in India as boarding parents for missionary children attending school in Kodaikanal, a responsibility they fulfilled several times for short periods. Through the years they served in Vadakangulam, Madurai, and finally Madras.

During the years when the family was young, Juanita was often alone for extended periods while Arnold traveled for his work; in later years she frequently accompanied him on those journeys. She was always his faithful assistant, taking dictation in shorthand, typing letters, reports, and minutes of meetings late into the night, keeping accurate accounts, etc. She was a gracious hostess for the many missionaries and other visitors, even some from overseas, who came through their home. Especially in the early years in Vadakangulam she held impromptu first aid clinics on the veranda of her home, dispensing simple medication and treatment to those suffering from various injuries and infections. She provided support and training for women seeking to establish small cottage industries to help support their families.

After retiring to Ames, Iowa, in 1988, she became involved in the Stephen Ministry, LWML, and quilting groups at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Her husband died October 21, 1991. Following a long illness, she was called to be with her Lord on October 29, 2010.

She is survived by children John (and Christi), David (and Nancy), Timothy (and Danh), Alice (and Gary) Paul, Philip (and Tai-Ling), Charles (and Suzanne), and Thomas, as well as by daughter-in-law Julia; her son Stephen died in June, 2010. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren and their spouses, 11 great-grandchildren, and her sister Marion (and Edgar) Krentz; in addition to her husband and son, three infant grandchildren preceded her in death.

We thank God for her lifetime example of humble Christian service, both to family and to her Lord. We also praise God for the gift of faith in Jesus that remained her support and strength to the end.

Visitation is 5-8 p.m. Friday, November 5 at Adams Funeral Home. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Saturday, November 6 at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Preferred memorials are:

St. Paul Lutheran Church, 610 15th St., Ames IA 50010

Lutheran Deaf Mission Society (designate “India school”), 9907 Sappington, St. Louis MO 63128

LCMS World Mission, 1333 S. Kirkwood Rd., St. Louis MO 63122

Homeward Hospice, 400 South Dakota Ave., Ames IA 50014

Funeral Service

November 06, 2010
10:00 AM
St. Paul Lutheran Church
610 15th St.
Ames, IA 50010

http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
 

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