Fr. Richard Lutgen

Father Richard E. Lutgen was born September 6, 1936 near Tipton, Kansas. Parents were Charles T. Lutgen and Elizabeth (Koenigsman) Lutgen. He died Sunday, December 6, 2009 at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita at the age of 73. He grew up in the area near Yates Center, Kansas. Later the family moved to Beloit, Kansas, where he finished grade and high schools. He entered the Seminary at St. Mary, Kentucky in September 1958. He completed his theological studies at the North American College in Rome in June 1962 after being ordained a priest on December 20, 1961 at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
He served various parishes in North Central and North Western Kansas. He received a heart transplant in April 1988 and began semi retirement in 1992, serving as a sacramental minister at St. Michael's Parish in Chapman, Kansas. He retired from active ministry in July 2002. In February 2004 he began serving as a chaplain at Mount Joseph Senior Village in Concordia, Kansas.
During his years of ministry in the Diocese of Salina, he also served as a member and as Chairman of the Priests' Council, was instrumental in establishing the Diocesan Clergy Health and Retirement Association and served as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Association. He also served as Director of Religious Education and on the Diocesan Liturgy commission. While serving as Sacramental Minister at Chapman, he also served as Business Manager at Seven Dolors parish in Manhattan for three years and then as Business Manager at St. Thomas More Parish in Manhattan for one year.
His parents, brother Robert, and an infant sister, Carolyn Ann preceded him in death. He is survived by one sister, Sister Charlotte Lutgen CSJ of Concordia, and three brothers, Leon and wife Joan of Beloit, Larry and his wife Grenda of Greeley, Colorado, and William and his wife Diane of Beloit, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass will be at 10:30 AM Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at St. John's Catholic Church in Beloit. Visitation will be from 10 AM to 6 PM Tuesday at the McDonald Funeral Home in Beloit, followed by a vigil service at 6 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to St. John's Memorial Trust Fund.