LUTZ - Kevin George Lutz passed away suddenly in his home in Yorkton, SK on October 13, 2017. He was 55 years of age. Kevin was born on July 5, 1962 at Yorkton, SK, the eldest son of George and Shirley Lutz. Kevin grew up on the family farm and attended school in Yorkton. He was baptized on September 2, 1962 and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Yorkton on April 11, 1976. He attended the Simpson School from grades 1 to 6, the Yorkton Composite School from grades 7 to 9 and the Yorkton Regional High School from grades 10 to 12 where he graduated in 1980. Kevin helped out his father, George, on the family farm growing up. For Kevin the farm was his life. He enjoyed helping with the spring seeding, the fall harvest, milking cows, butchering cattle and chickens and many other farm-related tasks. Kevin enjoyed playing hockey and having numerous adventures with his brother, sisters and cousins. Riding steers and pigs with his siblings and cousins was one of his many fun childhood memories. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, hunting with his dad and siblings as well as drinking and having fun with his friends. Kevin was fond of animals, particularly dogs and owned several dogs over the years until he moved to Yorkton. He met Brenda (nee Hladun) and they were united in marriage on November 27, 1982. The couple settled in the village of Ebenezer and they were blessed with 2 sons and a daughter: Chris, Megan, Greg. They both worked hard to support the family. Kevin worked for Harvest Meats for several years as well as Young's Plant World and other odd jobs such as driving bus, selling Christmas trees and working as a hired hand for other farmers. Kevin also helped out Uncle Edmund on his farm. He worked at Morris Industries for a while as well as a shingling company that his brother Peter helped him out with once in a while. Kevin's health slowly and progressively became more serious which left him unable to work and forced him to go on disability. His drinking eventually became problematic and he and his wife, Brenda, separated in October of 1999 and divorced in 2001. Kevin joined Alcoholics Anonymous and stopped drinking on November 15, 1999. He remained sober until his death. Alcoholics Anonymous was a huge part in Kevin's life, as it reinforced his faith and spirituality. Kevin started a lawn and garden business shortly after his separation. He ran the business on and off until his passing. Kevin met Betsy Bawden in October of 2004 and moved in to live with her in Yorkton shortly after. Kevin and Betsy were married on March 19, 2011 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Yorkton. Due to his diabetes, his eyesight deteriorated and he lost his driver's license as a result in 2007 which devastated him. Despite this setback he was able to continue to do the things he most enjoyed such as fishing and quadding and you could always count on him wearing his cowboy hat wherever he went. He maintained a positive outlook on life and thanked God for watching over him through the good and bad and for all of the blessings he received. Family was very important to Kevin. Although Kevin was a man of few words, he cherished his time with his family and was proud of his children's accomplishments. He was blessed with 5 grandchildren: Alice, Elizabeth, Julia, Harrison and Blake. Kevin had remained sober for 18 years and had helped many people recover from alcoholism over the years, thanks to the grace of God and the principles of the AA program. Kevin was predeceased by his parents, George and Shirley Lutz, his grandparents Pete and Philippina Lutz, Henry and Marie Weber and his step-grandmother, Frieda Lutz. He leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory his wife, Betsy Bawden of Yorkton, his ex-wife, Brenda Hladun of Yorkton; his children Chris (Karmen) Lutz of Pilot Butte; Megan (Kent) Shindle of Shellbrook and Greg Lutz of Saskatoon; his step-son Greg (Nicole) Bawden of Pilot Butte and his step-daughter, Jodi Bawden of Calgary, AB; 5 grandchildren, Julia, Harrison and Blake Shindle, Alice and Elizabeth Lutz; 2 step-grandchildren, Emma and Matthew Bawden; his sisters, Karen (Bruce) Murray of Red Deer, AB and Betty Lutz (Glen Taylor) of Roblin, MB and his brother, Peter Lutz (Sharon Lang) of Hudson Bay; his nieces Paula Lutz, Jessica Lutz and Rebecca Maksymiw, his nephews Brock Maksymiw, Kyle Lutz and Austin Maksymiw as well as his many relatives on Betsy's side of the family, members of Brenda's family, numerous aunts and uncles and many good friends. Prayers were held on Friday evening, October 20, 2017 and the funeral service was held on Saturday afternoon, October 21, 2017, all from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Yorkton. Rev. Heike Toeller officiated. Daughter Megan & son Chris read the 23rd Psalm and son Greg gave the eulogy. Pianist, Cheryle Zorn, led the congregation in the hymns 'In the Garden', and 'How Great Thou Art'. Cheryle also sang 'Amazing Grace'. A taped selection, 'Thank You For Being My Dad' was also played. The interment followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Peter Blanchard, Doug Borys, Harvey Drotar, Terry Hyggen, Michael Yaholnitsky and Peter Lutz serving as the casket bearers. A memorial luncheon followed in the lower hall of the church. Memorials were to the Diabetes Society or St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
