Gerald J. Lutze

Gerald J. Lutze, diagnosed with Renal Kidney cancer this pass July and placed in hospice at Rivers Bend Health & Rehabilitation Center in Manitowoc, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, August 14, 2017 at the age of 69.Born to George and Lavilla (Rautmann) Lutze of Rural Route 1 in Newton, he was 1 of 4 children (Donna Munday, Judy Maeuser & Larry Lutze). He would reminisce often about growing up on the family farm and rural life on the Lakeshore during the 1950's and early 1960's. Primary education had been obtained at Pleasant Hill School in Centerville Township and Secondary education at Kiel High School. A draft notice had been received after schooling; Gerald served a short enlistment in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era.Upon his return to Wisconsin and civilian life, he began his 30+ year career in Trucking. As a 'company driver' and owner operator he traveled and seen the expansion from the rural U.S. highways to the Interstate system. Transporting predominately refrigerated cargo and bulk liquids, he logged an estimated 2.5 million miles of driving. Retirement came in 2006 after decades of toil brought an end to being able to drive a truck. Personal friends and residents in the village of Cleveland will remember him as the man who made his way around on a John Deere garden tractor.A part of Gerald will continue in the life of his two sons: John & Francis. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Judy.A Remembrance ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at Jens Family Funeral Home & Crematory, 1122 South 8th Street, Manitowoc. Deacon Alan Boeldt will officiate with interment of his cremated remains at Knollwood Mausoleum on Wednesday, August 23. Relatives and friends may call on Tuesday at the funeral home at 2:00 p.m. Online condolences may be expressed at www.jensreinboldandpfeffer.comThe family would like to thank the nurses and entire staff of River's Bend Health & Rehabilitation Center for all the compassionate care given to Dad.

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