Roberta Jean Lute
LAUREL — Roberta Jean Lute, 84, Laurel, died Sept. 11, 2021, at Hillcrest Care Center, Laurel.
Funeral Services will be Sept. 15, at 10:30 a.m., at United Methodist Church, Laurel, with the Rev. Patrick Broz officiating.
Burial will be at the Laurel Cemetery, Laurel.
Visitation will be Wednesday, at church, from 9 a.m. until service time at 10:30 a.m.
Pallbearers will be Samantha Olsen, Mallorie Koch, Nate Granquist, Sydnei Olsen, Marissa Lute, Cassie Granquist, Sadie Lute and Zander Lute.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Laurel.
Roberta Jean was born July 13, 1937, to Ward and Velda (Roberts) Wilcox on a farm northeast of Meadow Grove. She was baptized in the Madison United Methodist Church in 1937. She attended elementary school in Madison country schools near Meadow Grove, Madison and Norfolk. She graduated from Norfolk High School in 1955, with her sister, Delores Wilcox. She attended Norfolk Junior College and taught three years in Madison County. One night on a blind date at the Wayne County Fair, Roberta met her lifelong partner, Gary Lee Lute. They were married June 14, 1959, at the Fairview United Methodist Church, in the country near Madison.
Gary and Roberta started their married life on a farm five miles south of Laurel. Roberta taught two years at District 76 in Cedar County. In 1962, they moved to a farm three miles west of Laurel, where they lived for 43 years while raising their four children. Roberta dedicated most of her married life to raising her family and helping Gary on the farm. She enjoyed her large garden, canning produce, and making sure meals were always prepared. In 2004, Gary and Roberta moved to their home in Laurel.
She was a member of the Laurel United Methodist Church, Laurel, for over 50 years. She was a member of the Laurel United Methodist Women, sang in the choir, was a Sunday school teacher, and a member of the Homebuilders Group. She was an active member of the Laurel Farmette’s Extension Club and the E.L.T. Club. She was also a Boy Scout leader.
She enjoyed scrapbooking, painting pictures, crafts and attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and activities.
She is survived by her husband, Gary, of 62 years; four children, Doug Lute, Randolph; Nancy (Joe) Olsen, Harrisburg, S.D.; Jean Granquist and Mark and Misti Lute, Laurel; eight grandchildren, Sami and Sydnei Olsen, Mallorie (Chad) Koch, Nate Granquist (Kayla Skogebo), Marissa Lute, Cassie Granquist and Sadie and Zander Lute; three great-grandchildren, Crew, Kella and Kenlee Koch; one sister, Delores Wilcox, Laurel; and one brother, Rodney (Jean) Wilcox, McCalla, Ala.; sisters- in- law, Carol (Borge) Kastrup, Valieda Burns and Diane (Danny) Wueben.
She is preceded in death by twin sons, Wayne and Dwayne; son-in-law, Mike Granquist; sister, Evelyn Fuller; sister -in-law, Penny Wilcox; and brother-in-law, Gene Burns.