Arlene Kutz

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Arlene Kutz, 84, of Highmore, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2014 at the Highmore Health, Highmore, SD.

Funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 25, 2014 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Highmore with Pastor David Peterson officiating. Burial followed at the Highmore Cemetery.  Visitation was held one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday.

Arlene Leone was born in Highmore, SD to Victor and Ruth (Stoley) Christensen on January 21, 1929.  She attended elementary school in Lincoln Township and high school at Highmore High School graduating in 1947. 

Arlene married Victor John Kutz, on April 4, 1947 in Redfield, SD.  To this union five children were born; Janice, Robert, Roger, Timothy, and Marlene. They made their home in Highmore until his death on October 19, 1959.  After John’s death, Arlene worked at Smith’s Grocery and took in ironing to support her children.

On July 5, 1963, Arlene married Harold “Fritz” Kutz.  To this union two children were born; Lisa and David. They also made their home in Highmore.  Arlene worked at the First State Bank as a janitor, Hyde County Highway Department as a bookkeeper and the Highmore Nursing Home as a certified nurse’s aide.

Arlene’s greatest joy in her life was spending time with her children and grandchildren.  She loved baking and making their favorite meals.  Knowing her children and/or grandchildren were coming home for a visit put her in the baking and cooking mode.  The refrigerators and freezer were always full with their favorite things when they came home.

In the summer, Arlene thoroughly enjoyed spending time in her garden and canning all the produce she grew.  She always had way more than she needed and shared it with her family and friends. She also enjoyed the spring, shopping for flowers and spending the time planting them in her flower beds. Spring and summer were her favorite seasons.

Arlene was always grateful to her friend and caregiver Sally Peoples and her family that always had time to take care of her and spend time with her.

Arlene is survived by her seven children: Janice (Tom) Birdsall of Port Charlotte, FL, Robert (Dianne) Kutz of Sioux Falls, Roger (Carolyn) Kutz of Highmore, Timothy (Valerie) Kutz Venice, FL, Marlene Czaja of Auburn, IN, Lisa (Steve) Nielson of Blair, NE and David (Linda) Kutz of Spearfish; thirteen grandchildren: Christopher Birdsall, Lynn Kutz, Larry (Summer) Kutz, John (Diana) Kutz, Linda (Brian) Gill, Jeremy Kutz, Marcy (Brent Boger) Czaja, Alex Czaja, Crystal (Jesse) Plum, Brittany Nielson, Travis and Tyler Nielson, Matthew Kutz, thirteen great grandchildren; one brother, Jay (Vesta) Christensen of Mitchell, sister-in-law, Marilyn Kutz of Highmore, brother-in-law, Royal (LaVonne) Kutz of Highmore, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, John and Harold; her parents; and one brother, Victor Christensen, Jr.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Arlene’s arrangements.