Irma Mary Luzum

Tuesday, December 11, 2018 6:01 pm

Irma Mary Luzum, 93, of St. Lucas, died peacefully Dec. 9, 2018, in her home. Her graceful spirit will forever bless those who knew and loved her. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 17, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, St. Lucas, with Rev. Aaron Junge officiating. Deacon was Jim Zajicek. Mass server was John Kuennen. Cross bearer was Jenny Studer. Organists were Cynthia Luzum and Kathy Meyer. Cantor was Lynette Wheeler. St. Luke’s Choir sang “Here I am, Lord,” “Amazing Grace,” “Softly and Tenderly,” “You are Mine,” “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman” and “Go Tell it on the Mountain.” Lectors were Theresa Hamer and Elizabeth van den Berg, and Kathryn Pickett and Alison Stortz. Eucharistic ministers were Germaine Langreck, Barb Reicks and Clair Dietzenbach. Offertory gift bearers were Marley and Erika Wisby, and Aidan Fritzke and Emily Luzum. Casket bearers were Jacob Luzum, Tessa Nardelli, Tanna Nedza, Bryan Korte, Jeff Luzum, Austin Fritzke, Jack “Teo” Fritzke, Bradley Burnett, Jayme Nauman, Jerrod Nauman, Dr. Matthew Ciorba and Alexander Ciorba. Interment was in St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery, St. Lucas. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Irma Mary (Schmitt) Luzum was born on the family farm near St. Lucas Oct. 3, 1925, the daughter of Anton and Josephine (Zimmer) Schmitt. She attended St. Luke’s Catholic School. Irma married Arnold Luzum May 6, 1947, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. That day was the beginning of a journey together that flourished for over 66 years. She and Arnold farmed for almost 40 years before retiring in 1985. Irma enjoyed baking, sewing, polka dancing with Arnold, traveling and playing euchre with family and friends. Irma loved music – both singing and playing the piano and organ. She took piano lessons after retiring from the farm. All of her daughters also learned to play the piano under Irma’s watchful eye and she encouraged each to participate in band. Her musical talent lives on in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Irma also had a love of history and was always interested in learning through books, travel and movies. She was a lover of nature and took particular joy in watching and listening to birds. In recent years, she became an avid observer of the eagle family nesting at the Decorah fish hatchery, watching them daily throughout each spring season on their webcam. She took great delight in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Irma was a devout woman who cherished time in prayer. Her deep faith was her strength. She was a lifelong member of St. Luke’s Parish and Parish Life, serving as eucharistic minister and singing in the church choir. She was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters for 57 years, as well as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary.

Irma is survived by 14 children: Diane (Jon) Korte of Bella Vista, Ark., Alleyn (Darla) Luzum of Bella Vista, Ark., Norma Shank of Mesa, Ariz., Marvin Luzum friend, (Rebecca Traver) of Santa Barbara, Calif., Marian (Charles) Burnett of Dakota Dunes, S.D., Barbara Ann (Theodore) Stortz of Edina, Minn., Sharon Kay (Dennis) Gidley of Algonquin, Ill., LaVonne (Charles) Ciorba of Keizer, Ore., Arnold Luzum Jr. of Fredericksburg, Kevin (Linda) Luzum of Fort Atkinson, Rosemary (Chris) Fritzke of Scottsdale, Ariz., Jolene (Ret. MSgt. J. Mitchell) Nauman of Norman, Okla., Karla (Lindsay) Erdman of Decorah and Renee (Joseph) Wisby of Nashville, Tenn.; 21 grandchildren: Bryan Korte, Jeff Luzum, Jenny (Luzum) Studer, Elizabeth (Shank) van den Berg, Theresa (Burnett) Hamer, Brad Burnett, Alison Stortz, Kathryn (Stortz) Pickett, Alexander Ciorba, Tessa (Luzum) Nardelli, Tanna (Luzum) Nedza, Cynthia, Jacob, and Emily Luzum, Austin, Jack (Teo) and Aidan Fritzke, Jayme and Jerrod Nauman, Marley and Erika Wisby; step grandchildren, Matt and Christopher Ciorba; and 24 great grandchildren. Irma also is survived by Arnold’s siblings: Joan (George) McCusker of Overland Park, Kan., Monica (Tony) Steinlage of Decorah, Bill (Jan) Luzum of Benson, Minn.., James (Arlene) Luzum of Rosemont, Minn., JoAnn (Paul) Luzum, Calmar; and her special nephews, Karl and Greg Luzum (children of her sister, Esther, and Vic Luzum)

Irma was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold (2014); three children: Anthony, Joseph and Mary Ann; her parents, Anton and Josephine (Zimmer) Schmitt; her siblings: Esther, Josephine, Frank and Greg; father and mother-in-law, William and Leona (Schissel) Luzum; son-in-law, E. Dexter Shank, loving husband to Norma; brothers and sisters-in-law: Clarence and Dorothy Luzum, Paul Luzum, Leo and Darlene Luzum, Loretta Collins, Vic Luzum, Francis and Kara Luzum, Herman Steinlage, Rita and Rudy Humpal, Florence and Jerry Hackman.

A sincere thank you is extended to the wonderful caregivers who brought Irma so much joy and love: Marilyn and Keith Westpfahl, Mary Johannson, Jaime Blundy, Jan Plegenkuhle, Kathy Streif, Terri Baker, Kathy Thomas, Jess Bushman, Lori Coonfare, Lor Miller, Season Magner, Patti Fedewa, Brittney Johannsen, Courtney Woods and Amy Seitz.