Thomas Alan Lutke

Thomas Alan Lutke

February 23, 1951 – September 19, 2024

Only when a tree has fallen can you take the measure of it. It is the same with a man.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh

A quote fitting for Tom who spent his life among trees: Logging them, then planting them, then casting a fly line among them.

Tom had a curious mind; he was always trying to figure things out. One month found him baking sourdough bread, another learning the bass guitar and deciding to build one. He usually had a computer in various stages of (dis)assembly. He could fix almost anything.

Tom spent much of his life studying complicated texts and ideas about religion. Traveling to the Philippines and working alongside friends on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation helped him settle his mind and fill his soul. He treasured the humble and unassuming hearts of those who seemingly had so little, yet loved God so greatly. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” His faith journey was not traditional nor often understood, but took him on a path to arrive where he began as a boy — with a simple Sunday school song, “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know.”

We will miss our husband … Dad … Papa … friend.

Deb will miss her husband and companion. They started an adventure of 53 years together in Michigan and made their home in Montana. Tom and Deb relied on each other so much. They are fortunate to have strong families and to have made many great friends. Deb will count on family and friends more than ever, for there is a vast place where Tom used to be.

Steve, Julie and Dan will miss Dad. He was in front of us as he showed us, he was behind us as he encouraged us, he was beside us while we found our way. Thank you for treasuring and honoring our Mom. Thank you for loving Lisha and Michael and Annie as your own.

Megan, Jace, Grace, Solomon, Simone and Violet will miss their Papa. Zerbits, ice cream with ‘marshamisho’ cherries, getting put up on the ’frigerator, reading on Papa’s lap … you grandkids were his whole world! He was so proud of you! Devyn and Rani, he wasn’t quite ready to read to you on his lap but he was getting close.

To Kristine, Michaela, Dana, Ryan, Michelle and RiverStone Health & Hospice. You cannot know the peace you brought to Tom and our family. It will be forever remembered and appreciated.

To his family and his friends, your prayers, thoughts and messages have been holding us steady and we thank you.

We will say farewell to Tom on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 5 Sunbird Lane, Park City. If you knew Tom, you know you should not feel obligated to come, but please feel free to stop by anytime between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. He would want us to wear comfortable clothes and eat food that he liked. He did not want a service or any fuss, but we believe he would tolerate us gathering together to tell each other stories and memories we all have of him.

Instead of flowers, please give your children and grandchildren a warm hug and buy them a cold ice cream. He’d like that.

Memorials can be made to RiverStone Health & Hospice, Montana on a Mission, or a charity of your choice.