Denis J. Lutz, 78, died Nov. 10, 2015, at Hays Medical Center, Hays. He was born July 22, 1937, at Spearville, the son of Adolph John and Lucy M. (Conrardy) Lutz.
He attended St. John Catholic School, Spearville, and St. Andrew Catholic School, Wright, graduating in 1951. He attended St. Gregory High School, Shawnee, Okla., from 1951 to 1955 and then St. Mary of the Plains, graduating in 1959. In 1959, Mr. Lutz enlisted in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1963. The same year, he took a job with Universal CIT. He married Kathleen Kummer October 16, 1965, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Great Bend. A year later, the couple moved to Great Bend where Denis spent 32 years as an agent for Allstate Insurance, retiring Dec. 30, 1998. Kathleen died Jan. 1, 2005. Denis then married Ronnie L. (Boor) Drees Aug. 5, 2011, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend. She survives.
He served the Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church as a CCD teacher, reader of the Holy Word of God, and as a school commission member. He served his community as an Optimist Club member for 49 years, and as president in 1985, was a member and former president and ambassador of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, board member and former president of Great Bend United Way and a member of the Silver Cougar Club. He was also a member of Knights of Columbus Council #862 for 60 years.
Mr. Lutz was an avid Great Bend Panthers, Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, and University of Kansas Jayhawks fan. He enjoyed crossword puzzles and computer games. Baseball was his favorite sport, and he enjoyed coaching in the Great Bend Recreation leagues.
Denis and Kathleen were blessed with four children, who survive: Denis J. Lutz II and his wife Catherine of Dodge City, Daniel R. Lutz and his wife Glenda of Dickinson, Texas, Kent W. Lutz and his wife Melanie of Des Moines, Iowa, and Michelle Kumke and her husband Chris of Olathe. His marriage to Ronnie added two additional children to the marriage: Kim Cloyd and her husband Raymond of Manhattan, and Ryan Williams and his wife Christine of New York, N.Y.  Additional survivors include 11 grandchildren, Ryan Lutz of Owensboro, Ky., Joshua Lutz of Lawrence, Griffin Spell and Connor Spell, both of San Marcos, Texas, Andrew Lutz, Penelope Lutz and Lucy Lutz, all of Des Moines, Iowa, Michael Kumke and Mia Kumke, both of Olathe, Alissa Cloyd of Manhattan, and Chris Williams of New York, N.Y.; two sisters: Colletta Ciccarelli of Vacaville, Calif., and Cecelia Lutz of Boulder, Colo.; and two brothers: Kevin Lutz and his wife Nancy of Elkhart, and Gregory Lutz and his wife Salame of Albuquerque, N.M.
Vigil service with Knights of Columbus Rosary will be at 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15, at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend, with Father Ted Stoecklein celebrating. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery, with graveside rites by the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials have been established with Holy Family School Endowment or St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, Lawrence, both in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home**
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 11, 2015