Earl Milton Lutz
Earl Milton Lutz was born in Bowdle, SD, on January 23, 1926, to August A. Lutz and Emma (Klein) Lutz. As an infant he moved with his parents to a farm 12 miles east of Selby, SD. He grew to adulthood there, and graduated from the Selby High School in l943. He was drafted into the army in 1945, and served as an interpreter with Co. 3rd BN 3rd Infantry Regt. in the European Theater. Duties of the job included supervising German civilians who were engaged in guarding military and civilian installations. He supervised 100 men, translated English to German in giving orders to the guards, and trained new guards. According to his honorable discharge papers, the job “required knowledge of the German language and managing men.”
Following his discharge from the army, Mr. Lutz owned and operated an electrical wiring business in Selby and later managed a Standard Oil Station there.
He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Emporia, Emporia, KS, and was awarded his Master of Arts degree in school administration from the University of North Dakota. To earn his graduate degree, he attended UND for seven consecutive summers.
Earl taught one year at Claremont, SD, and was a teacher and secondary administrator at
Lewistown, MT for seven years prior to coming to Karlstad in the fall of l961.
Earl Lutz was united in marriage to Georgine Engel Lutz on August 5, l956 at the
Congregational Church in Hillsboro, North Dakota.
In l971 Mr. Lutz was selected as the Administrator of the Year for Kittson County and
Represented Kittson County at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul.
Earl Lutz saw many changes take place in education during his 31 years as principal of the
Karlstad/Tri-County High School. He worked with five superintendents, saw two building
Expansion projects, and two school consolidations. Over 1400 students graduated from the
Karlstad school during his tenure as principal, including his four sons.
Earl enjoyed gardening, woodworking, reading, and traveling. He and his wife spent many
winters in the south of our country, and nine winters in Mazatlan, Mexico.
Earl Lutz passed away April 29, 2015 in Silver City, New Mexico. Earl is survived by his
wife of 58 ½ years, his four sons: Tim (Karyn), Wayne (Florlinda), Kirk, and Erich; four
grandchildren: Jordan, Katharyn, Wayne, and Kaarli; one niece, Connie Lutz, and two
nephews, Clyde Lutz, and Brian (Toni) Lutz; and one God-son, Daniel Leraas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Roy Lutz and Marvin Lutz.
A memorial service for Earl M. Lutz will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2015, 2 p.m. at the
First Lutheran Church in Karlstad, MN. Memorials may be given to the Earl M. Lutz
Scholarship Fund.
The family will greet friends one hour before the service.
