Meta Amelia Luetzow
October 9, 1918 - April 30, 2012
Obituary
Meta Amelia Luetzow was born on October 9, 1918 in Cincinnati, OH. She passed away peacefully on April 30, 2012 at the age of 93 in Seattle, WA from congestive heart failure. She is survived by her daughters, Midge Sweley and Kris Philmlee, her grandchildren Wendy Keller and Tara Persons and her great grandchildren Christopher Perkins, Jr. and Zoey Persons and Eva, Jonas, Annika and Lisel Keller. She is also survived by her sisters Edith Krall and Ruth Meier of Milwaukee, WI and Virginia Kelty of Plankinton, SD and her brother Fred Engelhardt of Puyallup. She is preceded in death by her parents, Friedrich Engelhardt and Agnes Stolarski, her husband Alvin Luetzow and her sisters, Clara Durian and Esther Meyer.
Meta was baptized in Cincinnati, OH on November 20, 1918, was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church of North Milwaukee on March 20, 1932 and was married to Alvin Luetzow on September 2, 1944 in Milwaukee, WI. She worked at Master Lock in Milwaukee until her first daughter was born. She would always tell people when asked what her career was that she was a “Household Engineer”. She was very devoted to her Lord and studied and taught the word of God for 65 years. She loved teaching Sunday school and even built, with them a scaled model of the Tabernacle. She taught religious education classes at the Washington State School for the Developmentally Disabled in Seattle beginning in 1962. She also taught religious education classes for five years at Good Shepard Lutheran Home of the West. As a result, Meta has written numerous articles and shared her ideas in relation to her experiences and contributed to Bethesda’s Breakthrough Publication. She conducted workshops for teachers of special needs classes and participated in Bethesda-sponsored workshops. She also contributed articles produced for volunteer teachers of religious and special education classes. She wrote articles for the Lutheran Witness magazine and the Concordia Publishing Company. In recognition of her exceptional career dedicated to individuals with developmental disabilities as well as to organizations and congregations that support people with disabilities, Bethesda honored her with the Christian Service Award for professionals in 2002. While working with the developmentally disabled she would encounter some students that were deaf. In order to continue her teaching with the deaf she studied sign language for two years and became a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church for the Deaf. It was another of her passions and she would teach the children in Sunday school how to sign the songs for the Christmas programs. At the age of 82 she passed her GED and received her high school diploma. She could hardly wait to fill out an application where she could put “high school diploma” in the space provided; however that opportunity never presented itself.
Meta was an avid gardener. She raised prized Dahlia’s, roses (her favorite flower), vegetables and fruits. She always provided canned fruit, vegetables and homemade jams. She lived in the same house for 53 years and people would stop at her fence to admire her yard. She took up photography classes and coaxed her husband to go on outings and take pictures, which she would share with her family and friends. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She could hardly wait for them to walk so she could take them with her on her daily outings or to the playground. She will be dearly missed by her loving family and friends but has finally found her way to her heavenly home.
A viewing will be held at Bonney Watson Funeral Home located at 16445 International blvd., SeaTac, WA. on Monday, May 7th from 10:00 to 11:30 AM followed by a gravesite service at 12:00 and a Memorial Service to be held at The Lutheran Church of the Atonement, 740 S 128th St, Seattle at 2:00 PM on with a reception to follow. In memory of Meta, she wanted any donations to be made to her favorite organizations that she was involved with her entire life. They are the Lutheran Ministry Services, 7040 36th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98115-5998 or the Bethesda Lutheran Community, 700 Hoffmann Dr., Watertown, WI 53094.
wow what a remarkable lady she was. i also know how to sign . i will remember her always i was one of the kids that she taught . she will be so missed . she loved you all so much . just remember she is not suffering anymore and is with her lord and savior .
Our hearts go out to Midge, Kris, and familys. We shared many happy times with Meta. Even though we are miles apart we will be with you in spirit. Love Sis Edee & niece Sue
Meta was a wonderful Christian lady. She will be greatly missed . I lived in the same retirement communtiy that she did before she moved to Renton, and we had some great talks, about how ahw loved the Lord and loved to work in her garden. The people at Park Place Chapel will remember the family.
I am her youngest sister and we came to Midge’s husband funeral recently, and my husband fell and we had to flie home and now he is taking therapy and he cannot drive that far. I feel bad that I will not be there for the funeral, but I will pray for her. I am glad that we were ther and visited with Meta several times.
We were so privileged to be with Meta when she was honored for her work with Bethesda on behalf of the young people taken care of there. We have always been so proud of her.
It is so sad to have heard of her passing, and known that God is taking care of her.
Love to Kris and Midge, Joan and Gus
I would like to express my deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved one. Death is one of the most difficult things we face in life but may it comfort you to know that others care. I have found great encouragement when reading the beautiful words penned in the Bible at Isaiah 25:8 “He will swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.” May this promise bring your family comfort in this difficult time.
Meta was my pen pal. I came to know her from a friend of mine who was a Resident Manager at the housing area she stayed at. Long after my friend quit that job, I still remained writing to Meta and exchanging letters, poetry & little gifts. One year she sent me a beautiful Space Needle brooch she told me was given to her from her beloved husband. I still wear it on my coat. Sadly, we lost touch. I often wondered how she was. Flying with angels.