Charles (Charlie) Lutgen

Charles Lutgen Obituary

April 20, 1927 - March 1, 2009
Charles (Charlie) H.K. Lutgen, passed away peacefully from the loving arms of his family to the loving arms of His Lord on 1 March, at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs. Charlie was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota on April 20, 1927 to Matthew and Catherine Lutgen of Luxembourg. Charlie was an educator and inspired many. He retired as the Principle of Woodland Park Middle School where he was awarded the Milken Educator of the Year Award for 1990. As the Woodland Park Middle School Principle, he transformed the school from a struggling junior high into a nationally recognized middle school. A principal that visited each classroom daily and regularly called upon local businesses to keep them up-to-date on the school's progress and goals. He was continually in touch with all of his students, whether they had difficulties or were on the honor roll. No one was left out, because Principal Charlie Lutgen created special opportunities for each student and staff member. His motto, demonstrated in countless cases, is "If you believe in yourself, you will receive." He was an avid outdoors man and his most favorite activity in life was to hunt or fish with is son Matt. Not a day went by where he wasnâ€™t planning his next hunting and/or fishing trip. He loved camping in the â€œsilver bulletâ€� and waking up to a heavy frost looking forward to a full day of elk hunting. He loved a heavy snow forecast because that meant the geese would be flying low. And as the consummate grandpa, he had the upmost in patience with teaching, untangling fishing lines and baiting hooks for the upcoming fishermen. Over the past three years, Charlie exhibited an extraordinary amount of strength, courage and endurance as he battled illness to his last day. Charlie was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He did his best at whatever he attempted to do and never gave up on anything. He will be greatly missed. Charlie is survived by his wife Jacalyn, sons Matthew Lutgen (Korrina Williams), Peter Lugten (Vallida), Paul Lutgen and daughters Jacalyn Joy Lutgen (Justin Kaye), Anne Lutgen (Richard Hogan), Bridget Kingsford (Kyle), Susan Drawbaugh(Joey) and grandchildren Brian Kingsford, Jenny Drawbaugh, Jacob Kingsford, and Colton Drawbaugh. A mass will be celebrated at Corpus Christi Catholic Church on 2318 N. Cascade Ave on March 4th at 3:30pm with refreshments to follow at Swan Law at 501 N. Cascade. An interment ceremony will take place in Aberdeen, South Dakota at the end of March at St. Maryâ€™s Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Corpus Christi Catholic school and The Classical Academy baseball program.

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Published by The Gazette on Mar. 3, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Lutgen

11 Entries

Bill Ziegler

October 27, 2023

He was such a nice man. My father and he were good friends in Aberdeen.

Leo Kocher

March 10, 2009

Jackie -
I am most said to hear of the passing of Charlie. I will always remember the football games we participated together at Central High school. Charlie was as tough as they came then. Thanks to Alice Kirchgasler for keeping in touch.
Best regards,
Leo Kocher

Michael Sahli

March 7, 2009

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

Lisa Carlsen

March 7, 2009

Charlie was my dad's (Al Sahli) best friend for many years. My father died in 1986 and I will never forget the look of pain on Charlie's face that day we buried him in St. Mary's Cemetery. Our family has wonderful memories of time spent with his family at Richmond Lake. Charlie was a wonderful friend to many. The northsiders in Aberdeen still tell stories about Charlie and those in his neighborhood. Jackie, we are very sorry for your loss but are forever grateful that you had a long and wonderful marriage with Charlie.

March 5, 2009

nd toast to him when and have the famous turkey dinner Love anf God's Bleddings to you and your family Alice and Ardith

Tracy (garrick) Artz

March 4, 2009

Principal Charilie, as I knew him was such a wonderful man. I lived in Woodland Park for all of my young life and he was my principal. I since moved to Aberdeen SD but heard of Charlie often as he remained very good friends with my father Del Garrick and mother Vickie Easterling. Charlie often told mom and dad he was going to give me a ring if he came out to Aberdeen. He is a great man.

Rita Kaye

March 4, 2009

Dear Family,
No words can make this day any easier. Your Dad and wonderful husband will be missed forever. In the short time I got to spend with him I saw nothing but love. He surely had a great sense of humor. Thank you for sharing him with me. He will always be with you all in your hearts. Charlie will know that his beautiful daughter Jacalyn and my son Justin will join our families forever soon and he will be with us in spirit that day also. God Bless you

Dave Early

March 4, 2009

Thoughts and best wishes from my family to yours.

Pete Byam

March 3, 2009

Dear Jackie and family,
Charlie was a gallant fighter to the end. I enjoyed so much, the time, how ever brief it was that I got to know him. There is nothing that I could possibly say about Charlie that you don't know. You have my sympathy.

Katherine Scholle

March 3, 2009

You were loved and cherished by so many people. I've heard so many wonderful things about you in my lifetime and will remember fondly the time we all spent together.

You will be sorely missed.

May you rest in peace.

John/Mary Schwan/Zerr

March 3, 2009

We are so sorry to hear of Charlie's illness and death. He was a great friend of our parents who spoke very highly of him. They were always so tickled that he never forgot any of the old "northsiders" in Aberdeen. Wishing you peace and great memories. Our deepest sympathy to all of you.

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