John Lutz

John Paul Lutz of Auburn, CA, formerly of Little Falls, MN, peacefully passed away Tuesday morning April 16, 2019 at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital in Auburn.  John was born on November 5th, 1963 to Harold and Mary Lutz of Little Falls, Minnesota, the 7th of 7 children. He was born with Down Syndrome which may have limited his cognitive faculties, but did not diminish his happiness nor the love for those closest to him.  He played softball and bowling, and on one occasion was given the chance to hold the Special Olympics flame. He is preceded in death by his mother Mary, father Harold, brothers Bill and Harry, sister Betty and nephew Jason.  He is survived by brother Bob, sisters Bea and Mary Ann, nine nieces and nephews, and other extended family.  We will miss his happy and cheerful spirit.

While in O.L.O.L. grade school he was taught how to completely serve Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church by a very patient and persistent Mary Brenny.  After John graduated from Little Falls Community High School where he participated in several sports he moved to Los Angeles where he lived in a care facility for special needs people.  He was taught how to connect and ride two different city buses to and from his daily job in Long Beach where he performed maintenance and janitorial services.  He thoroughly enjoyed his monthly weekend visits with either his brother Bill, wife Colleen and nephew Ryan or his sister Bea & husband Keith, and because of his outgoing personality made many friends. He then moved to a care facility in Placerville where he worked in a recycling company with other special needs people.  John then moved to two different facilities in Auburn as his need for care increased and finally to ResCare “Westwood Home” in Auburn, an Intermediate Care Facility.  The gentle and caring staff always commented that no matter what problem he was experiencing he would always “flash that million-dollar smile”.

Services for John will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN on Saturday, April 27, 2019 beginning at 11AM with visitation in Church from 10AM to 11AM. Private burial will be held at a later date.  Arrangements were very thoughtfully made by Wendy and Slavik at Chapel of the Hills in Auburn, and gratefully and thoroughly by Rhonda, John and staff at Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Brainerd.  A most sincere thank you goes out to all.  Donations may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Church or to an Alzheimer’s Research Association.