Mass of Christian Burial for Jim Lutter age 83 of Valentine will be held on Friday, January 22 at 11:00 AM at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be on Thursday, Jan. 21 at noon at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines. Rosary will be recited on Thursday, Jan. 21 at 7:00 PM at the Church.



James (Jim) Edward Lutter, 83, died Monday, January 18, 2016 at Cherry County Hospital in Valentine, Nebraska.

On May 26, 1955, he married his wife of 60 years, Margaret (Brinda) Lutter at the St. Thomas, Catholic Church in Mission South Dakota.

He is survived by his wife; sons Bill Lutter and wife Kim; Richard Lutter and wife Shannon; His daughters Patty Dawson and husband Phil; Theresa Gothard and husband Shawn; Priscilla Baalhorn; Mary Mercure and husband Randy; daughter-in-law Vivienne Lutter. His grandchildren Caleb, Timothy, Stephen Lutter; Jerod Lutter; Jessica and Trey Gothard; B J, Troy and Kim Baalhorn; Kara and Kethan Mercure; Lily and Buzz Lutter; step granddaughters Mandy Bird and Sarah Hawkins and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his four brothers their spouses and his eldest son Thomas.

Born October 6, 1932, to Wenzeslaus Michael and Barbara Ann (Schaaf) Lutter at their home in Todd County South Dakota.

Jim believed in the power of education, although he left public education at an early age to help his family with farming obligations, Jim completed his GED and continued his education receiving many college credits leading to a career in public service. Jim used his belief in education to help train and develop an EMT and First Responder program for the Valentine and Cherry County community. Jim worked with community leaders to develop programs to entertain the youth and provide services for the less fortunate members of our community. His commitment to Cherry County and the Valentine area is evident by his Thirty-two years of service as a law enforcement officer and his longtime involvement in the Valentine Volunteer Fire department.

The only commitment Jim held as close to his heart as his family and the service of his community was his love of Jesus Christ. Jim dedicated himself to his service to Jesus by participating in mass as an altar boy during his youth, a lector for most of his adult life and teaching youth classes with his wife. Jim was involved in the Knights of Columbus while in South Dakota and helped to establish the Knights in the Valentine area, leading to his appointment as the District Deputy.

Jim loved to share stories with anyone that would sit and listen enjoying a laugh.

Memorials may be given for the Valentine Senior Center or St Jude's Children's Hospital.