Margaret Lutz

Margaret Elsie Lutz, of San Jose, CA, passed away Monday, June 12, 2017, after a courageous battle with multiple issues. Born on October 10, 1943 in Darling Township to Karl Henning Johnson and Adeline Barbara Altrichter Johnson, she was the third of five children helping in the garden and taking care of chickens and other animals. Her primary schooling was in a one-room schoolhouse, followed by graduation from Little Falls High School, where she was active in the Library Club, Choir and Operetta for all four years. She then began work at a Creamery as an office receptionist and accounts receivable/accounts payable person. She went on to the same duties at Larson Boat works in Little Falls, home of the then-famous Falls Flyer speedboat. After her marriage to Robert J. Lutz on October 1, 1966 they moved to Minneapolis, and she transferred to Larson Boats Headquarters. Bob acquired a position as a Computer Technician and they were transferred to Ft. Worth TX, Seymour CT, Buchanan MI, and finally to Sunnyvale, CA. She then began work at Golden West Savings - now World Savings - starting as a teller, moving up to a computer training "floater" and finally as the branch manager. Through a close friend, she learned of a position at Bay Area Produce in Los Gatos, where she was office manager and corporate secretary for one month short of 39 years. It wasn't all work and no play. She made many ceramic pieces for their home, including figurines, pitcher and bowl set, and a nativity scene that goes on the mantle every Christmas. She also enjoyed sewing, and has made clothes from patterns and embroidered scenes on dishtowels, just to name a few. In 1981 she, her mother, and Bob went to Sweden for 2 ½ weeks, the birthplace of her father, to visit all her aunts, uncles and all but one cousin, and were treated like royalty. They also went to then-East and West Germany, Austria, Switzerland, part of France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Netherlands. On August 9, 1983 their son was born, unquestionably the apple of her eye. Their lives became the usual whirlwind of activities, school, projects, and Scouts, where Joe earned the rank of Eagle Scout with Gold Palm. Her later years brought several physical problems but didn't deter her from letting you know where you stood. Her parents; an older sister, Bernadine Braun; and a younger brother, Donald H, predeceased Margaret Elsie. Surviving are her husband, Bob and son, Joe in San Jose; sister, Carmen Maschler; and brother, Ronald C. in Randall. Funeral services will be Friday, June 23, 2017, at 11 AM, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls. Visitation will begin at 9:30.

The family would like to thank a very competent Santa Teresa staff and volunteers. The family would also like to thank a very caring Darling Fischer Los Gatos staff with excellent coordination by Brenny Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service for making arrangements.

Visitation from 9:30 until 11:00.