Elsie G. Lutz

Elsie was a retired teacher, who during her professional career helped to shape the lives of 1243 nursery school and kindergarten students. Following her graduation from Hood College in 1939 with a B.S. in home economics and Cornell University in 1940 with an M.A. in home economics, she began her academic career at Drexel, followed by Michigan State from 1941 to 1944, with a return to Drexel from 1945 to 1949 where she was assistant professor of home economics, director of the nursery school, and head of the department of child development. From 1959 to 1979 she taught kindergarten in the Pottstown and Boyertown Area Schools.

She was a member of Hereford Mennonite Church where she served as a primary and adult Sunday School teacher for many years and as coordinator of the prayer chain.

While retired Elsie delivered Meals On Wheels for 21 years and was a volunteer at Frederick Mennonite Community. She also volunteered as an adult literacy tutor.

Elsie was born at home on the corner of Chestnut St. and Phila. Ave. in Boyertown on June 26, 1917. She was the daughter of Thomas J. Gabel and Mame (Weller) Gabel. She was married to Walter B. Lutz for 56 years until he preceded her in death in 2006. Also preceding her in death were three siblings, May Black, Betty Beechner, and Kenneth Gabel. She is survived by one sister, Ruth Yeo of Allentown, two sons, David, married to Marichelle Roque-Lutz of New Holland, and John, married to Gala Lutz of Barto; a grandson, Daniel Lutz of Barto; four stepgranddaughters, Sofia and Nedda Maloles, both of Lancaster, Maia Maloles, married to Michael Ietta of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, and Pola Maloles Brown of West Hollywood, CA; and three stepgreat-grandchildren, Quinn Maloles-Rutter of Lancaster and Alessandra and Michael Maloles Ietta of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ.

The funeral service will be held at 11 am, Saturday, 29 Jan., at Hereford Mennonite Church, 121 Barto Rd., Bally, and will be preceded by a viewing from 9-11.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Frederick Mennonite Community, P.O. Box 498, Frederick, PA 19435 or Hereford Mennonite Church, Box 97, Bally, PA 19503.

Arrangements are being handled by the Linwood W. Ott Funeral Home, Inc., 111 North Reading Avenue, Boyertown.

Online condolences may be made at www.lwottfuneralhome.com.