Obituary of Jacob Lutz

September 19, 1949 – March 12, 2024

Our dear Jacob, husband and father, died March 12, 2024, at the age of 74 years surrounded by his loving family.

Born in a Mennonite colony in Paraguay, South America, and emigrating at age four with his family to Winnipeg, MB, Jacob loved regaling for his daughters stories from his early years in Paraguay, including tales of a mischievous pet monkey who tossed small stones into family meals from the rafters, and a legendary German Shepherd who protected his family by fighting alligators who came too close and once killing a large dangerous snake that entered the house.

Growing up in Winnipeg, he loved fishing, team sports, cars,and getting into trouble with his younger brother Harry and best friend Henry Klassen. Always resourceful and very much a people person, Jacob talked his way onto a container ship in New York City as a way of hitchhiking to Europe where he travelled extensively in his early 20s, seeking out extended family and exploring many countries including in West Asia. Sharing his experiences of growing up as an immigrant and stories of his adventures abroad, he instilled in his daughters an awareness of the greater world and a curiosity and appreciation for people, culture, travel and food. His empathy, generosity and kindness toward others were his trademarks and he was a pacifist and peacemaker always, often to the chagrin of the four strong-willed women with whom he shared a home.

Jacob met his wife, Janis (nee Winter) in 1973 on a blind date set up by mutual friends and they were married within six months. Daughters Kimberley and Jennifer were born in Winnipeg in 1977 and 1980, and his youngest daughter Diana was born in1988 in Calgary, AB, where the family relocated in 1987 for Jacob’s career in the insurance industry. Work was something he did to earn a living. His motivation and life’s passion was his family with whom he was always attentive, loving and loyal. He never asked for anything for himself and gave everything he had to his family. As a father of three girls, he was a master at hair braiding, back rubs, and bear hugs and his daughters all agree the safest place on earth has always been his warm embrace.

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006, Jacob bravely navigated eighteen years of degenerative illness and fought hard through several lengthy periods of severe complications. He also supported Janis through her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis (also in 2006) and shouldered the weight of caring for them both for many years when he was the stronger one, despite his own health struggles. He never once complained. Having retired early due to illness, Jacob spent many years reading voraciously in his favourite chair, sometimes finishing a whole book in one day and reading on average several hundred books a year. He could often be found “puttering” (his description) around the house and garage, fixing or inventing something. His gentle nature was also a magnet for wildlife, and for many years generations of neighbourhood birds waited for him to come outside on summer nights and would proceed to line up their young on a tree branch in the front yard, asking him to mist them gently with the garden hose. He always obliged.

Jacob is survived by his wife, Janis May Lutz (Winter) and his three daughters, Kimberley Jill Lutz, Jennifer Samantha Lutz, and Diana Katherine Lutz, and his siblings Edith Watson, Renata Wowchuk, Harry Lutz, and Marianne Verleih. He is predeceased by his mother, Alice Lutz (Braun), and father, Jacob Lutz.

Jacob’s wife and daughters would like to thank the genuinely caring staff at Wentworth Manor (Brenda Strafford Foundation) for their many years of support, helping to care for him physically and emotionally. They would also like to thank his neurologist, Dr. Sarah Furtado, and GP Dr. Gail Ewasechko, whose thoughtful intelligence, guidance, and compassion helped Jacob and his family navigate the Parkinson’s journey in the early and later stages of disease, respectively.

True to his nature, Jacob did not want a funeral service, preferring to rest in peace knowing those funds will instead be used to support Janis’ ongoing needs. Please share stories and photos here to honour his life and legacy.

If friends and family desire, in lieu of cards and flowers, donations may be made in Jacob’s name to the Brenda Strafford Foundation (4628 Montgomery Blvd NW, Calgary, AB, T3B 0K7), https://thebsf.ca/get-involved/donate.html. This will honour their work which continues to support Janis and many others in Calgary. Jacob would appreciate the gesture.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared here so that family and friends may remember him together.

In living memory of Jacob Lutz, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB, T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200