Linda Lutz

Linda Lutz was a loving, giving Christian woman, who not only believed in her faith, but lived it! Her life was lived as a testament to her faith and serves as an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. Humble and selfless, Linda never asked “Why me?” but was content to live in the moment, appreciating the family, friends and events that brought her life incredible joy.

The 1960s was a period of great change in our nation’s history. Protest moments were at the forefront of discussions as more and more U.S. troops headed for Vietnam. Yet, despite the looming problems within the American society, people were still having fun. It was the golden age of drive-in theaters and the Beatles owned the top of the pop charts. Linda entered these changing times on April 1, 1962, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was one of seven children born to Robert and Norberta Renauld. Linda spent her growing up years in Kalamazoo, where she attended the area schools and graduated from Hackett High School in 1980.

Linda’s childhood was littered with friends and good times. Playing dress-up with her sister, Laura, and great party times with the Jackson family. The youngest of seven children, Linda was bestowed with the nickname “Punk” by her father, always running after her older siblings. She began to show her artistic side very early by painting faces on fire hydrants. Linda also took many camping trips up North with all her brothers and sisters in the family van.

It was in the fall of 1977 that Linda met her future husband, David Lutz, at one of her high school’s Friday night football games. David had offered her a ride home after the game, and as they say – the rest is history! After about 3 years of courtship, the sweethearts were happily married at the Berean Baptist Church in Portage on August 23, 1980. Their wedding day went absolutely perfect – though the honeymoon didn’t start out that way. The couple had reserved the “deluxe honeymoon suite” for their first night as husband and wife, but the reservations were accidentally cancelled somehow and they had to settle for a regular room and delivery pizza. Although they both had recently started new jobs, the newlyweds were able to “squeeze in” a long weekend at Cedar Point.

Over the next several years, Linda and David were blessed with five wonderful children: Andrew, Joshua, Lisa, Aaron and Rachel, whom they loved and adored. The couple had been told by many doctors and specialists that they would not be able to conceive naturally, so when Linda found out she was pregnant for the first time, they knew each child was a gift from God. After the children arrived, Linda left her job to devote herself to the role of a mother. She immersed herself in her children’s daily activities, which undoubtedly kept her busy, and always disciplined through positive reinforcement. By example, Linda taught her children the value of compassion, and rewarded them for doing the same with her own “cup of kindness.” Every time her kids left the house, Linda always told them “Remember who you are and whose you are.”

Besides being a devoted wife and mother, Linda made time to volunteer in her community. She helped in her kids’ schools, where she assisted in getting kids to discover exciting new books for W.E.B. reading. Linda was also a talented artist and painted many murals for the Zeeland elementary schools. Additionally, she led the New Groningen’s Mom’s in Touch prayer group and helped plan the Zeeland West’s senior parties, designing all graphics and communication materials. Linda was also passionate about serving in her church, and did so in many capacities. Aside from being an active member at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland, she was also an enthusiastic Sunday school teacher and “The Story Lady”, a mentor for new mothers, a creative mural painter and a warm and friendly face at the library. How Linda found the time and energy to do what she did is a testament to her commitment to her family and her faith.

When it came to her leisure time, Linda enjoyed keeping busy with many hobbies. She loved to paint and make crafts, shop for great bargains at flea markets, carpool the kids and read a good book when she found a quiet moment. Linda liked to reminisce through her family photos, and find inspiration in her cherished Bible, which David’s parents gave her as a birthday gift in 1989. And all she had to do was look at her beautiful wedding ring to remember her perfect wedding day and the wonderful man she married! When it came to music, Linda was a big listener of contemporary Christian artists, like Mark Schultz, Point of Grace, Steven Curtis Chapman and Casting Crowns. And if she had time to watch TV, she liked Extreme Makeover – Home Edition, Alias and Biggest Loser. Although Linda was a pretty good cook, especially her famous Chicken Chalupes, she also enjoyed going out to dinner to one of her favorite restaurants: Red Lobster, Taco Fiesta or Ottawa Beach Inn. When it came to vacations, Linda and David had visited the Cayman Islands for their 15th and 20th anniversaries, where they shared many unforgettable memories together. Linda especially enjoyed snorkeling and swimming with the stingrays.

Although Linda struggled with cancer, she displayed a strength of character and a pure and simple faith in God that carried her through all that came her way. She never lost her great sense of humor in her suffering, and many will remember her funny stories about her wig “Muffy” and laugh about it even after she is gone. Linda loved life, and sincerely enjoyed helping others to feel the promise present in their own lives. She inspired everyone she met to be a better person and to live every day to its fullest extent.

All who knew and loved Linda will always remember her and be thankful that she was a part of their lives.

Linda M. (Renauld) Lutz, age 46 of Zeeland, MI, passed away unexpectedly from complications related to cancer on Monday, December 15, 2008, at Holland Hospital. Surviving is her husband of 28 years, David; children: Andrew Lutz, Joshua Lutz, Lisa Lutz, Aaron Lutz, and Rachel Lutz all of Zeeland; parents, Robert and Norberta Schmitt Renauld of Kalamazoo, MI; siblings: Robert, Jr. (Carol) of Clinton, NY, Ronald (Melanie) of Sherman Oaks, CA, Thomas (Dee) of Kalamazoo, MI, Marie of Jacksonville, NC, David (Linda) of Kalamazoo, MI, Laura (Mitch) Perry of Caledonia, MI; parents-in-law, Charles and Irena Lutz of Cedar Springs; brother-in-law, Dennis and Cindy Lutz of Flushing, MI; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 19, at the Central Wesleyan Church, 446 West 40th Street, Zeeland, with Dr. Paul S. Hontz officiating. Burial will be in the Zeeland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, in the Northwood Chapel at Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, 295 Douglas Avenue, Holland. Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Wesleyan Church. Please visit Linda’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with her family or sign her online guest book.