JoAnn Lutze

Jo Ann L. Lutze was an amazing woman who never stopped learning, trying, and never stopped right up until the end. She loved her family and kept in touch with many of her descendants. Jo Ann will be remembered for her kind spirit and always taking care of the many people who came into her life. She loved with everything she had, never gave up on anyone and always saw the best in everyone.

She was born November 2, 1937 in Oconomowoc to the late Elmer and Cora (Christenson) Petersen. Jo Ann graduated from Oconomowoc High School and continued her education in bookkeeping and accounting at the American Technical Society and later earning an Associate Degree in Applied Science through Waukesha County Technical College.
Jo Ann married her first husband, John Frey in April of 1957. They later divorced and on July 7, 1990 she married Robert Williams until he passed away on October 25, 2001. In Oconomowoc on June 26, 2004, Jo Ann married James Lutze until he passed away in December of 2007.

In her earlier years, Jo Ann worked at Automatic Electric, General Electric Medical Systems and Wisconsin Energies. After retiring, she worked part time for Walmart, H&R Block and full-time for Eastbay Call Center. In her spare time, Jo Ann enjoyed knitting, crocheting and reading. She was a huge Packer fan and loved decorating her home with Packer memorabilia.

At the age of 78, Jo Ann passed away on Friday, September 16, 2016 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

She is survived by two sons, Robert Frey of Wausau, John (Tammy) Frey of Cartersville, GA, six stepchildren, Betty Williams of Waukesha, Catherine (Tom) McDonald of Oconomowoc, Helen Stamper of Racine, David (Debra) Lutze of Wausau, Kenneth Lutze of Wausau, Jane Torres of North Carolina, five grandchildren, Denise Mikkelson, John Raymond Frey ll, Nicole, Erin and Amanda Frey, twenty step grandchildren, six great grandchildren, thirty four step great grandchildren, two step great great grandchildren, brother, Harold (Susan) Petersen of Fergus Falls, MN, and sister, Miriam (Wayne) Perry of Phoenix, AZ.
In addition to her husbands, Jo Ann was preceded in death by one brother, Phillip Petersen and four stepchildren, Bonnie Barbold, Mary Fletcher, Susan Douglas and Katherine Markley.

Funeral services will be 5:00 p.m., Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Reverend Harold Petersen will officiate. Burial will be Tuesday at the Salem Lutheran Cemetery, Wales, WI. Visitation will be Saturday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.

We would like to thank the staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Aspirus Palliative Care Unit, the Doctors, Comfort Care and Hospice along with Jo Ann's granddaughter, Rachel White for all their care and kindness.