Obituary of Katharina Lutz

Katharina Lutz December 25, 1919 - December 26, 2019 Katharina Lutz was born on December 25, 1919 in Feketitsch, Yugoslavia and passed away peacefully with family at home on December 26, 2019 at 100 years old. She was the daughter of Johann and Elisabeth Anschutz. She is survived by her daughter, Erika Hoffmann, son in law Erich Hoffmann, grandsons Robert Hoffmann, his wife Regina, and Steven Hoffmann, his wife Marisol, and great grandchildren Drew, Madison and Darren Hoffmann. Katharina was married to Johann Lutz for 48 years until his passing in 1985. After experiencing God’s miraculous hand of protection upon her as she survived and escaped the death camp in Gakowa, Yugoslavia, she remained in a refugee camp in Austria until she came to the United States in June 1952 and settled in Ridgewood, Queens where she was a merrow operator. She was a long standing member of Emmaus Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ridgewood, and later a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glendale. Her steadfast faith in the Lord brought her through many difficult times. The joy of the Lord was evident in her life and was witnessed by all who knew her, often hearing her singing her favorite psalms and hymns as she sat in her chair. Katharina became affectionately known as “Oma”, grandmother, not just to her grandchildren but to all who knew her. She became “everyone’s Oma” as she shared her love and kindness with everyone she interacted with. Her thankful heart sustained her through her later years as she would always thank everyone she spoke with and wished everyone would “Stay healthy and come home safe”. Katharina was the matriarch of the family. She outlived everyone from her village where she grew up. Through her story, she has passed on a legacy to all who survive her of God’s faithfulness, His hand of protection, and sense of destiny to fulfill His ultimate calling in our lives. For that we are eternally grateful and say “Thank you Oma”.