Frank Lutjens

Frank Lutjens


Dates

April 4, 1943 - January 18, 2024

Obituary

Frank Lutjens, 80, of Ethan, SD, died Thursday, January 18, 2024 at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Tuesday, January 23, at Zion Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Burial will be in Servicemen’s Memorial Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be Monday from 5-7:00 PM with a 6:30 PM prayer service at the Church. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Francis “Frank” Donald Lutjens was born April 4, 1943 to Gustav and Alice (Stahnke) Lutjens in Mitchell, SD. Frank attended school in Mitchell, graduating from Mitchell High School in 1961. After high school, Frank attended Springfield College, and later graduated from South Dakota State College with a degree in Wildlife Management.

Frank was united in marriage to Cheryl Stoebner on August 8, 1975.

Frank served in the US Army in West Virginia, and was a welder by trade. He later worked at the Mitchell Police Department for 24 years along with being a patrolman, school resource officer, and DARE instructor. After retiring from the Mitchell Police Department, he continued to work part time at the Davison County Sheriff Department.

Frank is survived by his wife, Cheryl of 48 years; daughters: Kim (Jake) Hayes of Gardner, KS, Kathy Axsom of Mitchell, and Kerri Lutjens (Heath Kurtenbach) of Mitchell; six grandchildren: Kaden, Kobi, Xavier, Emma, Amelia, and Kolt; nephew, Gus (Jodi) Lutjens; and niece, Dawn (Ronnie) Coyle. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law: Daphine Lutjens, Vonda Alexander, Rochelle Edwards, Lila (Fred) Mettler, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Albert John, Kenneth, Gustav, Robert, William, and a still born brother; sisters, Willma and Pamela; and in-laws: Leo and Laura Stoebner, Kenneth (Marlys) Stoebner, Delvis (Jerry) Fenner, Bruce Alexander, and George Edwards.

IN FRANK'S WORDS: “THIS IS NOT GOODBYE, IT'S SEE YOU LATER”


Visitation(s)

Date
Monday, January 22, 2024
Time
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location
6:30 PM Prayer Service

Zion Lutheran Church
620 E 3rd Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301

Service

Date
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Time
10:30 AM
Location
Zion Lutheran Church
620 E 3rd Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301

Cemetery

Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery
Mitchell, SD


Posted by Bunny olson on February 16, 2024
I got to know frank in 1980 when i worked at happy chef when in high school,always a kool guy,and wood give ya a fair shake.the guy had a great sense of humor also.i have quoted his line many a time,^ or neanderthol forplay^ those that know what im refering to.rest in peace big man.rip.
Posted by Grant Kruse on January 30, 2024
He would always watch over us kids after Kanaranzi and XTD dances in the 80's and early 90's. Enjoy eternity with Jesus.
Posted by Kimberly Paulson on January 29, 2024
So very sorry Cheryl and family. In Cole and Hillary's words Frank the cop came home from work today. He was much loved by the daycare kids.
Posted by Joe and Helen Puetz on January 27, 2024
So sorry for your loss. He will be missed.
Posted by Harriet Darling and Sharon Boggan on January 25, 2024
We remember Frank with laughter and love from our childhoods as neighbors and his friendship, especially with our parents, through the years.
Posted by Gara Stadlman on January 24, 2024
Cheryl and family. Sending you my deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers. Truly sorry for your loss.
Posted by Barb Zimmerman on January 23, 2024
So sorry for your loss prayers love to you and your family 🙏❤️🌹
Posted by Rev Victor Dorn on January 23, 2024
Dear Cheryl and family,
I'm so sorry at your loss, I considered Frank a GREAT friend, Terry and I have many, many happy memories with your family, Looking forward to see him in heaven
Posted by Sheri Andersen on January 22, 2024
As a dispatcher at the PD, first meeting Frank was intimidating to me. He ended up being one of my favorite officiers to work with! Dry sense of humor along with his 'chuckle'. We've run into him occassionally over the years. RIP, Frank. See ya' later! Prayers to the family during this difficult time!
Posted by Lloyd E. Bauder on January 22, 2024
I worked with Frank a lot of years at the PD. We always had a lot of fun years ago working the Ethan street dances. Frank was quite a talker & will be missed.
Posted by Charlie Prickett on January 22, 2024
One of Mitchell's FINEST
Posted by Kelly Gross on January 22, 2024
Frank was always one of my favorite police officers when I worked as a deputy at the Sheriff's Office. He was a mentor to me and always had the time to visit anytime our paths crossed after we each got out of law enforcement. My thoughts and prayers are with you Cheryl.
Posted by Jerry Luckett on January 22, 2024
I am so sorry for your loss. Frank was one of my favorite people. He was a great cop, a kind man and had a great sense of humor. RIP Frank.
Posted by Terry and Brenda and Jacob Spier on January 22, 2024
Sorry for your loss, we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers!
Posted by David Lutjens on January 22, 2024
He was one of two favorite uncles hadn't seen him in years called him now and then he'll be missed prays to family
Posted by Kelly Loudenburg on January 21, 2024
Frank was a great man and an outstanding Police Officer. He will be greatly missed! I learned so much from him in my law enforcement career. My condolences to his family.
Posted by Gary and Mary Stadlman on January 21, 2024
Cheryl and families, no words can express how saddened we are to hear of the loss of Frank. Ethan will not be the same, we will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. May God be with you through these difficult days.
Posted by Dennis and Lisa Marek on January 21, 2024
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Frank's family! Frank was a good man, solder and police officer and we had many great talks over coffee or lunch. I enjoyed working with Frank over the years and he will be missed by so many people and friends. GOD bless you Frank and your family at this sad time.
Posted by Carl and Tonya Higgins on January 21, 2024
I'm sorry for you loss seems so insignificant. Frank was fun to talk to and we enjoyed living next to you both. Our hearts go out to his family during this awful time.
Posted by David Mettler on January 20, 2024
Sorry to hear about Frank. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Posted by Hollie Karber on January 20, 2024
So sorry for your loss! Frank was a great guy! The young people loved him as well! He will be missed!
Posted by Bridget Bame on January 20, 2024
My deepest sympathy and condolences to his family!! He was a great man!! 🙏🙏
Posted by Charolette Peterson on January 20, 2024
So sorry for your loss! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers 🙏
Posted by Maureen ( Delzer) Johnson on January 20, 2024
My condolences to the family. My two daughters Tara and Amanda spent many hours in your home as they were babysat by you ,Kathy. Kim was a good friend of Tara’s and we pray for God to keep you all held tight in his arms as you go through this sad journey without Frank!
Posted by Charlie and Vicki Larson on January 20, 2024
Frank and I served for 20 years together, we had coffee every morning. He was one of the good ones. RIP my friend.
Posted by Mark and Wanda Belitz on January 20, 2024
Sympathy to you and your family.
Posted by Ernie & Debra Hohn on January 19, 2024
Our sincere sympathies to the Lutjens family
He was an amazing person and a great police officer
R.I.P. Frank
Posted by Lorna Sonne on January 19, 2024
So very sorry to see this. Frank was such a a great man. Always enjoyed our conversations, and his sense of humor.
My sincere condolences to his family. 🙏
Posted by Carrie & Jarrell Grimes on January 19, 2024
Sorry for your loss Cheryl and family. He will be greatly missed!! He alway had a smile when Iwe saw him a wonderful person. RIP Frank
Posted by Darla Beardsley on January 19, 2024
RIP Frank
You were a great person. I'm going to miss you coming in to M&H to get your daily coffee and the conversations we had.
Kathy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of loss. Frank will be greatly missed!
Posted by Charlie and Darlene Bailey on January 19, 2024
Prayer to the family Rest in Peace Frank
Posted by Jenny Jackson on January 19, 2024
So sorry for your loss. He sure will be missed around Ethan. You guys were the best babysitters.
Posted by Lori Crago on January 19, 2024
Frank was a good man years ago when he was a cop he would always catch me speeding to work at 4 am and he would point his finger to slow me down and it always cost me a cup of coffee later in the day prayers to his family
Posted by Jackie Christiansen on January 19, 2024
REST IN PEACE FRANK. ONE OF THE BEST COPS IN MITCHELL
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