R. Claudine Lutz

R. Claudine Lutz, 89, passed away Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at Calvin Community in Des Moines. Visitation will take place 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 at the Mission Church in Des Moines, followed by funeral service at 11 a.m.

Claudine was born July 17, 1934 in Lomax, IL to Geraldeen and Albert Park, the first of three siblings. A true child of the Great Depression, she spent her earliest years living with her parents in a boxcar on the grounds of a hog farm belonging to an older relative. She met her future husband Richard "Dick" Lutz at a basketball game in Keokuk, IA. Their courtship was conducted from the tops of telephone poles across Iowa, as Dick began his career as a lineman for Bell Telephone. They married in 1956. The daughter of an accomplished seamstress, Claudine was a dedicated homemaker who especially enjoyed sewing for the family. Claudine and Dick were members of First Federated Church, where Claudine was known for her fabulous hats, her compassion for church members undergoing mental health struggles, and her devotion to the Galileans Sunday School class.

Claudine is survived by her loving daughters, Joni (Rich) Swinford of Colorado Springs, CO, and Sheri Lutz (Barbara Case) of Minneapolis, MN; her grandchildren, Caroline Swinford of St. Paul, MN, and Claire Swinford (Max Ferguson) and Kevin Swinford of Colorado Springs.

Claudine was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, her parents, her sister Etta Jean McCleery, her brother C. Fred (Nancy) Park; and her granddaughter Beth Denise Swinford.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mission Church or the Calvin CARES Fund at Calvin Community. Condolences of sympathy may be expressed to the family at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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