Andrew “Andy” Gerard Lutz, 56, of Turtle Lake, WI died on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at home surrounded by his loving family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Lucille (Soler);sister, Agnes; father-in-law, James Drkula; and sister-in-law, Virginia Dull. He is survived by his wife of almost 33 years, Renee (Drkula); children, Monica Sirek, Allison, Marie (Luis) Vega, Nicole, Andrea, Mitchell; siblings, John (Carol), Mark (Denise), Mary, Jean (Jim) Peters, Karen (Tony) Shaw, Elaine (Mark) Kluge, Leo, Fran (Tracy), and Vince (Julie); mother-in-law, Mary Drkula; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives and friends.

Andy was born on May 2, 1964 in Hugo, MN and grew up on a dairy farm. He graduated March 1987 from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, emphasis on Ruminant and Mono- Gastric Nutrition. July 18, 1987 Andy married the love of his life, Renee, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Hugo. Together they managed a dairy operation in Wanamingo, MN. Then they moved to La Crosse, WI area where he began his career with Land O’ Lakes as a Livestock Production Specialist. In 1994, they decided to pursue Andy’s dream of operating his own farm and purchased a small dairy farm in Turtle Lake. They built a successful farm and raised their family of 6 children in a loving home that welcomed all who stopped in. In 2011, Andy retired from farming and began working for Purina as a Livestock Production Specialist at United Ag (Synergy) until his diagnosis of Stage 4 Peritoneal Cancer in 2019. Farming has been his passion his whole life, he worked very hard to achieve all he had. The three things he held most important were faith, family, and friends, in that order. He is a longtime member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and talking about farming. More importantly he loved spending time with his family and friends. His extensive trivia knowledge, clever wit, and teasing nature will always be remembered. All who had the pleasure of knowing Andy will probably have an infamous Andy Lutz story, whether it is regarding his superhuman strength, vast knowledge, endless pranks, or kind heartedness. He truly lived his life as a devoted husband, father, and man of faith. He will be missed by so many and loved forever.

A public visitation will be held on Friday, May 29 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Skinner Funeral Home, 260 Industrial Blvd, Turtle Lake, WI. Due to the current health situation with Covid-19, we will be limiting to 25 people in the facility at one time and asking to respect social distancing requirements. A private funeral mass will be held with public burial following at 11 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Cemetery on Saturday, May 30, we ask all to gather for the procession outside St. Ann Catholic Church, 300 Pine St. S, Turtle Lake, WI. His mass will be recorded for all to view later.

Skinner Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.

Last Update: May 24, 2020 8:59 am CDT