Carolyn Lutz

CAROLYN (COOK) LUTZ

Ames

Carolyn (Cook) Lutz, 65, a longtime resident of Ames, died Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017.

Carolyn was born Dec. 24, 1951, to Gene and Betty (Michel) Cook. She was baptized at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church on Jan. 21, 1954, and confirmed there on April 3, 1966. Carolyn attended Iowa State University, where she met and fell in love with her husband, Bill. They wed on May 12, 1972.

Carolyn loved kids and it was evident in everything she did. She stayed home with her daughters and ran an in-home daycare for many years. As her daughters entered school, she worked at a daycare/preschool, where her daughters attended with her. She then dabbled in retail as the store manager of a Hallmark store before becoming the customer service manager at a grocery store. She ended her working days at McFarland Clinic, working in several different capacities during her 20-plus years there. Carolyn befriended many through her jobs, but the children she met and got to know through them were some of her most prized friendships.

She was known for her crazy, infectious laugh that you could hear and recognize before you even saw her. She loved gardening, hiking and nature, any type of adventure with her friends and family, and her beloved cat, Poppy.

She is survived by her daughters, Rachel (Jordan) Kent of Urbandale and Annelise Lutz of Plymouth, Minn.; her grandchildren, Shay, Brannen, Kendall, Alex and Addison Kent; her sisters, Linda (Ted) Williams and Julie Weers; her brother, Rick Cook; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother, niece and in-laws.

A memorial service for Carolyn will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at Adams Funeral Home in Ames. A meal will follow the service at the Octagon in Ames. Private family burial will be at a later date.

Carolyn had her own sense of style and fashion, so we ask that you express your own at her celebration of life.