Michael L. Lutz

Michael (Mike) Laurence Lutz, 72, of North Platte, NE, passed away Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Bassett, NE. Mike was born May 22, 1952, in Chamberlain, SD, the son of Thomas and Ruth Lutz. The family lived in White Lake, SD, across the street from Ruth’s mother, and then moved to Long Pine, NE, when Mike was ten years old. He attended grade school in Long Pine and graduated from Rock County High School in 1970. After high school, he attended Sidney Technical School, earning an associate’s degree in auto mechanics.

Mike's devotion to his family was unwavering. He and ArLou Davis were married on August 19, 1971, and had four children: Shelly, Manda (who died in infancy), Kelci, and Kirk. Mike and ArLou lived in Nebraska and Wyoming before eventually moving to Brighton, CO. This was their home until ArLou’s passing on March 18, 2008. Mike and ArLou enjoyed dancing, country music, traveling to Jackson Hole, and yellow roses.

On June 5, 2010, Mike and Laura Townsend were married in North Platte, NE, where they made their home until his passing. Mike and Laura found joy in simple pleasures, such as movies, gardening, and raising cattle on their “farm”.

Mike enjoyed working on cars, utilizing his degree from college. He learned how to operate heavy equipment at a young age, operating a bulldozer and scraper for his dad at the age of 13. For his adult life, he operated heavy equipment in construction or drove and owned car carriers, gravel trucks, and fuel trucks. At the time of his death, he was mastering new skills in carpentry and plumbing, being in the process of remodeling his house in Bassett. Mike enjoyed racing motorcycles, stock cars, and snowmobiles throughout his life and has passed his love of cars and motorcycles on to his kids and grandkids.

Mike was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Manda; his wife, ArLou Lutz; his parents, Thomas and Ruth Lutz; his sisters, Jackie Nagy and Kathy Johnson; his father-in-law, Harold Davis; his mothers-in-law, Geneva Davis and Helen Townsend.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Laura Lutz of North Platte: three children, Shelly (Mark) Donner of Laramie, WY; Kelci Lutz of Brighton, CO; Kirk (Ashley) Lutz of Navarre, FL; siblings, Diana Shaul and fiancé Mike Dickhausen of Nebraska City, NE, Sherri (Bill) Klatt of North Platte, Bobbi (Bryan) Coleman and Joel A. (Judy) Lutz, all of Bassett; grandchildren, Jonas Lutz of Brighton, Joshua, Corbin and Hayden Donner of Laramie and Nathan and Gracie Lutz of Navarre; sisters-in-law, Jolene (Tim) Wilson of Hughes Springs, TX and Bonnie (Steve) Keim of Idaho Falls, ID; brothers-in-law, Dan Nagy of Oxford, NE and Tim (Marilyn) Townsend of Arlington, TX; stepsons and families, Chad (Jenny) Peterson, Luke, Jesse, Claire and Chloe of Molt, MT and Ben (Sammi) Byrns, Brealyn and Alice of North Platte; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Mike will forever be remembered for his smile, laughter, and his occasional run-ins with the law.

Memorial Service was held on Friday, March 28, 2025 at the Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth with Pastor Dennis Quigley officiating at the service. CD selections “Precious Lord Take My Hand” by Ricky Van Shelton and “I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You” by Alan Jackson were played. Pastor Quigley had previously solicited stories and memories from Mike’s family and friends and relayed many fond and humorous incidents.. Memorials were suggested to the family for a future designation. Inurnment followed in the Grandview Cemetery at Long Pine. Condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.