Karen Wendy Lutz

Karen Wendy Lutz (69), passed away unexpectedly on February 17, 2023, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Karen resided most of her adult life in Husum, WA. She moved to Ridgefield, WA in 2019 and then to Coeur d’Alene in Dec of 2022. Karen was born Jan 8, 1954, in White Salmon, WA to Kenneth and Helen (Hurt) Gross.

Karen attended White Salmon schools. While attending Columbia High School Karen was very involved in clubs and extracurricular activities including the International Order of the Rainbows and crowned Homecoming Queen her senior year. After graduation she attended a trade school for business in Portland, OR.

On July 25, 1976, Karen married Tom Lutz in White Salmon, WA. Karen spent her career as a wedding coordinator for Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River, OR and Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA.  She also was an expert interior designer and florist. She had a deep faith in God and attended St. Joseph's Catholic Church where she took pride in serving as the president of the Women’s Alter Society. Karen had a talent and passion for gardening, cooking, scrapbooking and putting on extravagant gatherings. 

Karen is survived by her son Kenny (Sarah) Lutz of Ridgefield, WA and daughter Monique (Nathan) English of Coeur d'Alene, ID, 4 granddaughters: Elle (17), Whitney (14), Hazelle (7) and Memphis (3), and brothers Jeff Gross and Randy (Sandra) Gross.

Karen is preceded in death by her husband Thomas Lutz, father Kenneth Gross, mother Helen (Hurt) Gross, father in-law Theodore Lutz, and mother in-law Grace (Anderson) Lutz.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, October 28th, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph’s Church in White Salmon with a luncheon to follow. All are welcome!