Ursula Luttman

Ursula Luttman left us suddenly on Wednesday morning, July 10th.  Mom, "GeeMa", Urs and the dozens of pet names her beloved husband, Mike, was a force to be reckoned with.  She was blunt, funny, loved to gossip, German to her core, but most of all, she was loyal, kind and generous to those she let into her circle.  She looked forward to her time with friends at "the Plex" in Plymouth and spending time with Kelly and Sandra at the cottage in Warsaw.  Our hearts can be full knowing that she was able to spend time there over the 4th of July on the boat, eating, talking, playing cards and watching fireworks. Mom was born Ursula Fabinger on August 26th, 1943 in Chomutov, Czechia (at the time, Czechoslovakia).  She was born into the Facist regime of Adolph Hitler after her country was handed to Hitler as a means of appeasement.  Her Father, Josef, was conscripted into the Nazi army and as a result of refusing to take part in the rounding up Jews and others, was put into a prisoner of war camp.  After the war, when the Soviets took over Czechoslovakia, her Mother, Appolonia, packed up everything they could in a baby carriage and walked to Germany.  They lived in a refugee camp until Josef was reunited with his family.  Mom lived and worked in Wallerstein until she met my Dad, Mike Luttman, an American GI who was serving his country.  They were married in on August 20th, 1965 in Germany.  Shortly after, Dad was transferred to San Antonio Texas.  Mom, never having left Europe, came to America by herself, navigated New York City and made her way to join him in Texas.  That was the start of an epic marriage that lasted until Mike passed away on December 10, 2020.  Their 55 years together were hilarious and I know he came to her on July 10th to join him.  They are back together for eternity and they are catching each other up and Mom is listening, nodding and knitting, while Dad talks. They had 2 children, Carrie (John) Utterback and Monika Luttman, who survive.  Mom was a woodworker for Ayr Cabinet Company in Nappanee until her retirement in 2009.  Every time we went somewhere for dinner, she would see people she worked with and had to visit.  Her pride and joy were her 3 grandchildren, Katie (Lyric) Utterback, Jennifer Utterback and Daniel Utterback, who will miss her very much.  She also loved her future son in law, Paul Atkinson Jr. and she will smile when they become man and wife.  She is survived by many nieces, nephews and friends who stopped by the house when they could.  She loved her cat, Mookie, and she has been taken in by a former work collegue from the Cabinet Shop thanks to the help of friends, Keith and Rhonda.  Mom became a citizen of the United States in August of 1996 and voted in every election.  She had very strong opinions about politicians and their shenanigans, and being able to perform her civic duty as a citizen of the United States of America, brought her joy. Mom's wishes, like her husband's, were to have no viewing and no services.  We will gather together at a later date to celebrate Ursula. Contributions can be made in her name to Marshall Starke Development Center in Plymouth (MSDC | Empowering families and individuals to reach their potential.).  MSDC has taken care of Monika for decades and will continue to do so.  In honor of Mom, please hoist a 25 cent McDonald's coffee, have a McRib and vote for Democrats in November.