Henry Luetmer

Henry A. Luetmer, age 93, of Sauk Centre, died Monday, March 25, 2013 at Fairway Pines Assisted Living in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 1 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Todd Schneider officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, March 31 and from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 1 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 5:15 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Henry Arnold Luetmer was born November 25, 1919 in Grove Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Joseph and Marie (Nietfeld) Luetmer. He worked on the home farm until age 28. After one year working as a DHIA Supervisor, Henry joined Kraft Foods as a dairy field representative for 15 years. He worked another 23 years as a contract Dairy Field rep for independent creameries. Henry enjoyed this work immensely for his connection to people and to the land.

Henry was a devoted husband to his wife Valeria, to whom he was married for 64 years. Together they created wonderful memories with their children - of family vacations at the lake, autumn picnics, hunting, camping, hiking, singing and story telling. His family cherishes these times and the time Henry spent with his grandchildren over the past 28 years.

Henry was an aviation enthusiast. He had his private pilot's license, but when he couldn't be up in the air, he was building kites or paper airplanes with his children or grandchildren. He enjoyed tinkering with his inventions and had a passion for astronomy, physics, and poetry. He will be remembered for his love of life.

Henry is survived by his wife, Valeria Luetmer of Sauk Centre; children, Kathryn Luetmer of Loretto, Kathleen (Donald Johnston) Luetmer of Medina, Teresa (James) Copley of Sauk Centre, Joseph (Sylvia) Luetmer of Evanston, Illinois, Mark (Elizabeth) Luetmer of Medina, Tom Luetmer of Shoreview, John (Debra) Luetmer of Morris, Paul (Carol) Luetmer of Wausau, Wisconsin, Patrick (Lisa) Luetmer of Rochester, and Ron (Stacey) Luetmer of Glenwood; 27 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; sisters, Colette Gates of Brooklyn Center and Mary Lou (Robert) Harris of St. Cloud; and brothers, Al (Maureen) Luetmer of Grey Eagle and Larry (JoAnn) Luetmer of Annandale.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Marie Luetmer; sons, Michael and Richard Luetmer; grandson, Matthew Luetmer; and sisters, Lidwina Stacy, Rose O'Connor, Marie Luetmer, and Sr. Nora Luetmer, O.S.B.

Serving as casket bearers will be his sons, Joseph, Mark, Tom, John, Paul, Patrick, and Ron. Cross bearer will be his grandson, Michael Luetmer and scripture bearer will be his grandson, Julian Luetmer.