Kathryn Lutes, 79

Kathryn Lutes, 79, has gone home to be with her beloved husband, Earl, and her son, Richard on April 12, 2006.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at Coffelt's Funeral Chapel with Pastor David Olson from the First Lutheran Church officiating. Inurnment will be at Pinecrest Memorial Park cemetery.

Kathryn was born May 1, 1926, in Helena, Mont., to William Doan and Emma Olson.

She lived in Cascade, Mont., until the death of her mother in 1934. She then went to live with the Rev. and Mrs. Mills in Belt, Mont. The family later moved to Townsend, Mont., where Kathryn finished school.

She eventually settled in Bozeman, Mont., where she met Earl Lutes on March 13, 1945. They were married less than 24 hours later in Livingston, Mont., and began what was to be a long and happy life together.

Kathryn and Earl went to Palm Springs, Calif., to the Army hospital, where Earl served as head of food services while Kathryn worked as a medical secretary until Earl was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army.

They returned to Bozeman, where they settled in to their new life together and were able to bring their son, Richard Joseph, home to live with them.

The Lutes family later moved to Southern California in 1958, where both Earl and Kathryn worked until their retirement. Kathryn worked as a medical secretary for the U.S. Air Force at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, Calif., for 26 years.

One of her proudest moments was having lunch with the original Apollo astronauts. Her stories about the many pilots she met were all told with humor and respect. She was proud of the job she did and often expressed her joy at being able to "serve her country."

In 1989, Kathryn and Earl moved to Sandpoint, Idaho. They were joined several months later by their son, Richard, and his wife, Mary. The family shared a love of the outdoors and the beauty that is uniquely Sandpoint. Many happy years were spent together.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her beloved Earl, and a son, Richard.

Those of us who knew them know there is truly a celebration in heaven as Kathryn is reunited with her loved ones.

She is survived by Mary Lutes of Sagle; grandchildren Richard, Dan, Lori, Tina and their respective spouses; 10 great-grandchildren living in Tennessee, California and Idaho; nephews Don, Gary, Dana and Greg; her niece, Diane; and dear friends, Vivian and Bonnie; and close family friends, Dave and Betty Burns and family.

She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and generosity of spirit. We will miss her stories and her jokes. So many came to see her to bring her comfort and left being the ones comforted.

Her belief in Jesus has sustained her and brought new friends into her family. David and Becky have paved the way with music and tenderness, Joe provided the strength and humor she needed to get through the painful days and the medical staff of Bonner Community Hospice made it possible for her to remain in her home until it was time for her to leave us.

In lieu of flowers, your contribution to Bonner Community Hospice would be greatly appreciated.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.