Laurel Lutz

TRAVERSE CITY — Laurel Jean Lutz, 82, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at Munson Medical Center, with her family by her side. Laurel was born on Oct. 27, 1928, to the late David and Lillian (Akans) Thompson, in Dearborn. She entered into marriage with Sherwin Jack Lutz on June 24, 1995, at Central United Methodist in Traverse City. Laurel was a dedicated and loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood since 1972 and a member of Central United Methodist Church. She enjoyed music, playing the piano, singing in choruses everywhere she lived, needlepoint, knitting and sewing. She will be remembered as an extraordinarily great cook and homemaker. Laurel loved to travel and visited every continent. Laurel played golf, bridge, loved to swim, snorkel, ski and anything water related. Laurel is survived by her husband, Sherwin; son, Dr. Robert (Amy) Dorr, of Saginaw; daughters, Carol (Jack Politz) Melcher, of Saline, Deborah (Stephen) Lazaroff, of Jackson, and Diana Dorr, of Orlando, Fla.; stepchildren, Karen (Ron) Fenwick, of Bloomfield Hills, Robert (Cheryl) Lutz, of Roswell, Ga., and Dr. Michael (Kathy) Lutz, of Birmingham; 17 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers, Kenneth (Diane) Thompson, Wesley (Patricia) Thompson and Lawrence (Denise) Thompson; her beloved cats, Merlot and Chablis; and many other loving family members and friends. Visitation for friends and family will be held on Friday, April 29, 2011, from 6 until 8 p.m., in the Chapel at Central United Methodist Church. Funeral services will take place at Central United Methodist Church, at 1 p.m., on Saturday, April 30, with a visitation held one hour prior. Pastor Dale Ostema will preside. Graveside committal services will be held in Acacia Park Cemetery in Beverly Hills on Monday, May 2, at 1 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to Central United Methodist Church, the P.E.O. Sisterhood or the ARDS Foundation at www.ardsil.com. Please sign Laurel's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.