Florence Louise Lutes

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funeral service

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Florence Louise Lutes, 88, of Goshen, passed away Friday, December 1,2023, at Goshen Hospital.

She was born August 1, 1935 in Champaign County, Illinois to Arthur and Maude (Mathews) Hixson and was named after her grandmothers.  In 1952, the family moved to a farm west of New Paris, Indiana. She graduated from New Paris High school, where she met Robert Lutes, her husband of 70 years. They were married on December 31, 1953.

He survives along with three children, Ralph (Melba) Lutes of Shipshewana, Mary Ann (Dale) Holderman of New Paris and Richard “Rick” (Amy) Lutes of Hampshire, Illinois; two granddaughters, Tina (Ken) Martin of LaGrange and Stacy Lutes of Mooresville, North Carolina; two great-grandchildren, Audrianna and Derrick Martin; and a sister, Linda (Roger) Hollinger of New Paris. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, and their families, whom she loved dearly and was always happy to see.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Nellie Stringfellow and Marilyn Schoch and two brothers, Francis and Harley Hixson.

A 1953 graduate of New Paris High School, Mrs. Lutes worked as a bookkeeper at Veada Industries and DJ Construction, retiring in 1997.

Mrs. Lutes was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in New Paris and attended Grace United Methodist Church in Venice, Florida during the winter months. She was an accomplished homemaker and was well known for her delicious meals. She would often share pie when visiting others. She enjoyed gardening and food preservation; her pickles, rolls and jellies were always on the table at family meals.  She enjoyed growing flowers and took special pleasure in providing altar flowers at church during the summer.  She was skilled in needle arts, crochet and quilting and was an excellent seamstress. Euchre, puzzles and other games were also a fun part of her life.

While her children were in school, she was an involved parent, working full-time and partnering with her husband on the farm.  She was an FFA, 4-H, athletic and music mom.  After retirement, together with her husband, she was active in the International Flying Farmers and enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Canada, visiting farms and making many wonderful friends.  She also served on the board of directors for Curry Cove, Venice, Florida.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 7, 2023, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home and Friday from 9:30 until the 10:30 a.m. funeral service at Grace United Methodist Church, New Paris.  Pastor Greg Way will officiate.

Burial will follow in Milford Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be given to Grace United Methodist Church or New Paris Lions Club.