Irma Luzum

Irma Mary Luzum, age 93, of St. Lucas, Iowa died peacefully on December 9, 2018 in her home. Her graceful spirit will forever bless those who knew and loved her. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 17, 2018 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA with Father Aaron Junge presiding. Burial will be in St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00-5:00 p.m., on Sunday, December 16, 2018 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA. There will be a rosary and scripture service starting at 1:45 p.m. There will also be visitation on Monday morning from 9:30 -10:30 a.m. at the church.  Irma Mary (Schmitt) Luzum was born on the family farm near St. Lucas on October 3, 1925, the daughter of Anton and Josephine (Zimmer) Schmitt. She attended St. Luke’s Catholic School. Irma married Arnold Luzum on May 6, 1947 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. That day was the beginning of a journey together that flourished for over 66 years. She and Arnold farmed for almost 40 years before retiring in 1985. Irma enjoyed baking, sewing, polka dancing with Arnold, traveling, and playing euchre with family and friends. Irma loved music; both singing and playing the piano and organ. She took piano lessons after retiring from the farm. All of her daughters also learned to play the piano under Irma’s watchful eye and she encouraged each to participate in band. Her musical talent lives on in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Irma also had a love of history and was always interested in learning through books, travel and movies. She was a lover of nature and took particular joy in watching and listening to birds. In recent years, she became an avid observer of the eagle family nesting at the Decorah fish hatchery, watching them daily throughout each spring season on their webcam. She took great delight in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Irma was a devout woman who cherished time in prayer. Her deep faith was her strength. She was a lifelong member of St. Luke’s Parish and Parish Life, serving as Eucharistic Minister and singing in the church choir. She was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters for 57 years, as well as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. Irma is survived by fourteen children: Diane (Jon) Korte of Bella Vista, AR, Alleyn (Darla) Luzum of Bella Vista, AR, Norma Shank of Mesa, AZ, Marvin Luzum friend, (Rebecca Traver) of Santa Barbara, CA, Marian (Charles) Burnett of Dakota Dunes, SD, Barbara Ann (Theodore) Stortz of Edina, MN, Sharon Kay (Dennis) Gidley of Algonquin, IL, LaVonne (Charles) Ciorba of Keizer, OR, Arnold Luzum Jr. of Fredericksburg, IA, Kevin (Linda) Luzum of Fort Atkinson, IA, Rosemary (Chris) Fritzke of Scottsdale, AZ, Jolene (Ret. MSgt. J. Mitchell) Nauman of Norman, OK, Karla (Lindsay) Erdman of Decorah, IA, and Renee (Joseph) Wisby of Nashville, TN. Twenty-one grandchildren: Bryan Korte, Jeff Luzum, Jenny (Luzum) Studer, Elizabeth (Shank) van den Berg, Theresa (Burnett) Hamer, Brad Burnett, Alison Stortz, Kathryn (Stortz) Pickett, Alexander Ciorba, Tessa (Luzum) Nardelli, Tanna (Luzum) Nedza, Cynthia, Jacob, and Emily Luzum, Austin, Jack (Teo), and Aidan Fritzke, Jayme and Jerrod Nauman, Marley and Erika Wisby. Step grandchildren Matt and Christopher Ciorba, and twenty-four great grandchildren. Irma is also survived by Arnold’s siblings: Joan (George) McCusker of Overland Park, KS., Monica (Tony) Steinlage of Decorah, IA., Bill (Jan) Luzum of Benson, MN., James (Arlene) Luzum of Rosemont, MN, JoAnn (Paul) Luzum, Calmar, IA and her special nephews Karl and Greg Luzum (children of her sister Esther and Vic Luzum) Irma was preceded in death by her husband Arnold (2014), three children, Anthony, Joseph, and Mary Ann, her parents, Anton and Josephine (Zimmer) Schmitt, her siblings Esther, Josephine, Frank and Greg, father and mother-in-law: William and Leona (Schissel) Luzum. Son-in-law: E. Dexter Shank, loving husband to Norma. Brothers and sisters-in-law: Clarence and Dorothy Luzum, Paul Luzum, Leo and Darlene Luzum, Loretta Collins, Vic Luzum, Francis and Kara Luzum, Herman Steinlage, Rita and Rudy Humpal, Florence and Jerry Hackman. A sincere thank you is extended to the wonderful caregivers who brought Irma so much joy and love; Marilyn and Keith Westpfahl, Mary Johannson, Jaime Blundy, Jan Plegenkuhle, Kathy Streif, Terri Baker, Kathy Thomas, Jess Bushman, Lori Coonfare, Lor Miller, Season Magner, Patti Fedewa, Brittney Johannsen, Courtney Woodsand and Amy Seitz.