Mr. George Lutz passed away peacefully, at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre, with his family at his side, on Wednesday, March 16, 2016. He was 82 years of age. George was born on May 12, 1933, the son of Pete and Phillapeanna Lutz at Fenwood, SK. George was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. His church and his faith were a very big part of his life. George grew up on the family farm and attended the Homefield School, completing Grade 8. In 1944, the family moved to the Yorkton area, where he continued to farm with his Dad and brother, Dan. George moved to Thunder Bay, ON to work for a logging company and later hauled gravel in Regina, SK for a short time. Though he tried his hand at these other occupations, his love for farming always brought him home to Saskatchewan. George and his brother, Dan started a grain cleaning business while they were farming together. He met Shirley (nee Weber) of the Dunleath District and they were united in marriage on August 4, 1961. The young couple settled north east of Yorkton where they were blessed with two sons, Kevin and Peter and two daughters, Karen and Betty. In his younger years, George enjoyed curling, making sausage, ski-dooing and hunting. George was always ready to help his neighbours and was often called upon to help out with butchering and making sausage. George was devastated when Shirley passed away suddenly on November 29, 1994. George loved animals, especially his pet dog and cats. He enjoyed talking with people whether he knew them or not. He spent time at McDonald's and the mall to meet friends for coffee and do his word search puzzles in the paper. He was known as a social butterfly. George showed his children and grandchildren that hard work and dedication earned you rewards. He brought smiles to everyone with his jokes, memories or the lessons he would share. He encouraged his children to be early risers and always used to say, "What you do in the morning, you will never accomplish in the afternoon". In 1998, he met Margaret "Belle" Thorvaldson and together they spent many happy years helping with babysitting his grandchildren, raising sheep and cattle and gardening. George sold the farm and moved into the Heritage Lodge in July of 2012 where he remained until his passing. George was predeceased by his parents, Pete and Phillapeana Lutz; his wife, Shirley; his step-mother, Freda Lutz, his brother, Dan Lutz; his brothers-in-law, Eric Katzberg, Helmet Lemke and Walter Maximuik; his nephews, Arthur Katzberg and Donnie Lemke and his good friend, Margaret Thorvaldson. He leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory, his children, Kevin (Betsy) Lutz of Yorkton, SK, Karen (Bruce) Murray of Red Deer, AB, Peter Lutz (Sharon Lang) of Hudson Bay, SK and Betty Lutz (Glenn Taylor) of Yorkton, SK; nine grandchildren, Christopher (Karmen) Lutz, Megan (Kent) Shindle, Gregory Lutz, Brock, Rebecka and Austin Maksymiw, Paula, Jessica and Kyle Lutz; five great-grandchildren, Julia, Harrison and Blake Shindle, Alice and Elizabeth Lutz; his sisters, Dorothy Lemke of Kitchener/Waterloo, ON, Lucy Katzberg of Regina, SK, Violet Maximuik of Kelowna, BC and Marlene (Verne) Mellor of Shaunavon, SK; his brothers, Edmund (Myra) Lutz of Stornoway, SK; his sister-in-law, Joyce (Art) Fiege as well as his nieces, nephews, many relatives on Shirley's side of the family, members of Margaret's family and many good friends. A Visitation for Family & Friends was held on Monday, March 21, 2016 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK. The Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Yorkton, SK with Mr. Ray Yost officiating, assisted by Margaret Ann Yost. The organist and pianist, Joleen Cherland and Judy Berg, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Just As I Am", "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art". A special taped music selection, "Daddy's Hands" as sung by Holly Dunn was played. Psalm 23 was read by George's daughter, Karen Murray. Karen also read a letter from George's sister, Dorothy Lemke. Words of tribute and eulogy were shared by grandchildren, Kyle & Jessica Lutz. The Interment Service followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Gregory Lutz, Christopher Lutz, Kyle Lutz, Paula Lutz, Brock Maksymiw and Austin Maksymiw serving as the casket bearers. The honourary pallbearers were Jessica Lutz, Megan Shindle, Rebecka Maksymiw, Jake Burkell, Jim McDougall and Garry Liebrecht. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, SK.
