James Harold Lutz, the son of Eugene and Genevieve (Seydel) Lutz, was born at the Halloran Hospital in Jackson, Minnesota on November 23, 1947.

Jim was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Jackson. He attended Riverside Elementary and Jackson High School where he was active in basketball and baseball, graduating with the class of 1966.

After graduation, Jim attended Worthington Junior College and then was drafted into the United States Army on January 18, 1968. He spent his basic training and AIT at Ft. Lewis, Washington.

In June 1968, Jim flew to Vietnam to serve his Country as Rifleman in the jungles of Vietnam with the 82nd Airborne Division. Jim earned the Soldier's Medal, the Bronze Star with 1st Oak Cluster as well as other awards.

Jim returned to the United States and served the remainder of his time in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, after driving there proudly with his little sister in the black Pontiac 4x4. Jim was honorably discharged from the United States Army on January 16, 1970.

On September 13, 1970, Jim was united in marriage to Mary Jo Raasch. To this union were born two daughters, Shannon Lorel and Elizabeth Kristine. After marriage, Jim graduated from the powerline program at the Jackson Vocational School, received his first lineman job at Traverse Electric in Wheaton, Minnesota and later worked for the City of Jackson as a lineman, retiring in 2005. Jim then worked for a time for Missouri River Energy in Lake Park, Iowa.

Jim's hobbies were hunting, fishing, golfing, and attending his children's and later his grandchildren's activities.

Jim passed away peacefully on February 14, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Society in Windom, Minnesota.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Jo of Jackson, MN; daughters, Shannon (Kanoa) Baynard of Marshall, and Betsy (Justin) Storm of Jackson; granddaughter, Alexis Lorel Baynard of Madison, WI; three grandsons, Jackson Michael Baynard of Marshall, Keaton James Arthur Storm and Kasey David Storm of Jackson; sister Judy (Dennis) Arnfelt of Cedar Falls, IA; sister-in-law, Kathi (Del) Potter of Crosby; brother-in-law, Ronald (Deeny) Raasch of Falcon Heights; aunts, Olive Volk and Joyce Seydel; uncle, Marty Krause; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Gen; mother and father-in-law, Harland and Rose Ann Raasch; maternal and paternal grandparents; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Blessed be the memory of James Harold Lutz.

A Celebration of Life Service for Jim Lutz, age 76, of Jackson, will be held Sunday, February 18, 2024, at 3:00 PM at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Jackson with Pastor Martin Lucin officiating. The service will be livestreamed on the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center Facebook page. Burial will follow the service at Riverside Cemetery in Jackson with Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post #130 of Jackson.

A time of visitation and gathering will be held prior to the service, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Jackson.