Karen Lutz

Karen Lutz, 81, Oconto Falls, died suddenly Saturday morning, December 21, 2024 at St. Clare Hospital.  She was born January 16,1943 in Spruce to Fred and Lillian (Knedlhans) Rabas.  Karen was raised on a dairy farm in Spruce where she learned early in life the value of hard work, commitment and family.  She attended Kelly Brook Grade School (grades 1-3) and Spruce Grade School (grades 4-8) before entering Oconto Falls High School in 1957.

While in Oconto Falls High School, Karen was active in many school activities and continued to share her enthusiasm, energy, and spirit with her classmates. She participated in Glee Club, Band, Student Council, Annual Staff, and the Library Club. She was elected Junior Class Secretary and was selected as Homecoming Queen and as a member of the Prom Court.

Upon graduation in 1961, Karen accepted the position of Oconto Falls School District secretary and had a very long and successful career as an administrative secretary at Oconto Falls High School. Karen’s commitment to the students of Oconto Falls High School was unsurpassed. She cared for them like “her very own” and continued to stay in touch with them and their families. During her forty-year career with the Oconto Falls School District, Karen had the pleasure of working with six superintendents and nine principals until her retirement in 2001.

Following retirement, Karen became a strong advocate for the Oconto Falls School District, volunteering her time and expertise on various projects, including the Schoolhouse News and the Class of 50 Past Reunion Committee. She continued to serve the community through her extensive work with the Oconto Falls Friends of the Arts. As a member of the Executive Board, Karen worked to promote advertising, seat sponsorship, and volunteer work. She was instrumental in the success of the Oconto Falls Friends of the Arts Fine Arts Series, helping to bring in over sixty productions to the Falls Area Performing Arts Center. In addition, Karen volunteered to greet community members and student families at concerts throughout the entire district.  Karen gave countless hours to the Oconto Falls School District. Her dedication to the school and community made her an outstanding advocate for Oconto Falls.  In 2011, she was inducted into the Oconto Falls High School Wall of Fame.  Karen also volunteered numerous hours at the Kingdom Come Food Pantry in Oconto Falls for many years as a manager.

In 1963, Karen married Tom Lutz of Oconto Falls and they celebrated 57 years of marriage together.

She is survived by one daughter Michelle (Lutz) Grenke; two grandsons Gabe Grenke and David Grenke; one sister, Gail (friend Scott) Offerman; one brother-in-law, Craig Tanner; nieces and nephews Grant (Amy) Offerman, Lance Offerman, Vincent (Sandy) Rudolph, John (Jennifer) Rudolph, Sue (Dennis) Coty, Scott (fiancé Jill Weigert)Tanner, and other great nieces and nephews; their extended family includes three foreign exchange students—Patricia Rolon Pereira (Brazil), Misa Ito (Japan), and Joern Meissner (Germany).

She was preceded in death by her husband Tom in 2021, her parents Fred and Lillian Rabas, father-in-law and mother-in-law John and Marcella Lutz, infant brother Arland, sisters-in-law Connie (Lutz) Carter and Judi (Lutz) Tanner, and brothers-in-law, Donald Carter and Bob Christ.

Visitation with the urn present will take place after 3:00 PM Friday, January 3, 2025 at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls.  A service of remembrance will take place at 7:00 PM Friday at the funeral home with Pastor Katy Tomlanovich officiating.