Myrtle Luthi

Myrtle Irene (Larson) Luthi was born to Olaus and Ruby Larson on March 22, 1917 at home in Nora Township , Pope County MN . She was baptized and confirmed at Nora Lutheran Church and attended Pope County School District #50. She married Albert Luthi on Feb. 22, 1949. Together they lived and farmed on the north end of Page Lake in rural Hancock , MN . There Myrtle enjoyed gardening, canning, and raising her chickens.

Gathering the eggs and cleaning the chickens led to many happy gatherings on the Luthi farm. Myrtle was a loving and caring mother to four children. Myrtle often said, “The more the merrier.”, so her home was always filled during the summer with nieces and nephews who came to stay. Her later years were blessed with eleven grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren. Christmas Eve programs, sleepovers on the couch (tucked in by Grandma), 4 ^th of July firecrackers, playing in the fort, Grandma’s cookies in the freezer, and sliding down the stairs will always be cherished memories. Family gatherings and her faith were the center points of her life. She was a long time member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church , Hancock, and an active member of the women’s circle and service group. A lifetime of faith, a lifetime of patience, a lifetime of hard work, and a lifetime of never ending love and gratitude have set a perfect example in many ways.

Myrtle passed away Dec. 30, 2008 at the Stevens Community Medical Center having reached the age of 91 years, 9 months. She is survived by her four children, Aldean ( Charlotte ) Luthi, Hancock; Gloria (David) Nichtern, Starbuck: Betty Ann (Carl) Batdorf, Sartell; and Virene Luthi, Hancock. Eleven grandchildren: Lori (Mark) Mattson, Hancock; Randy (Johnnita) Luthi, Morris; Stacy (Scott) Kjorness, Lowry; Rachel (Adam) Bjerketvedt, Hancock; Renee (Matthew) Konz, Morris; Kent Luthi, Hancock; Christopher (Connie) Nichtern, Fargo; Kelly (Eric) Heyer, Fargo; Kyle (Katie) Nichtern, Lowry; Nicole (Adam) Wentland, Becker; Nathan (Bethany) Batdorf, Sauk Rapids, and 21 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are two sisters: Pearl (Omer) Christianson, Terrace; and Florence (Norman) Schwendeman, Oak Park Heights; sisters-in-law: Beverly Larson (Kensington), Violet Wulf, Morris; Della Luthi, Morris; Wilma (Clyde) Kuntz, Gridley, IL; and Lillian (Howard) Mogler, Alvord, IA. Brothers-in-law: Harold (Bernice) Luthi, Morris; Ray (Violet) Luthi, Lamar , MO ; and Reuben (Chrystol) Luthi, Morris;

Step-mother-in-law: Lillie Luthi, Morris; and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Albert (1990); four sisters: Marie Helberg, Clarice Larson, Emma Barsness, and Edna Backlund; one brother: Leonard Larson.