Elsie C. (Olsen) LUTMAN

Elsie C. LUTMAN of Chagrin Falls passed away on February 26, 2023 at the age of 91 after a brief illness. A lover of Nature and the outdoors, she found great pleasure in observing humble occurrences such as a bumble bee drink from a bird bath. The American crow lost an impassioned advocate with Elsie’s death! A lifelong resident of northeastern Ohio, Elsie appreciated the changes of seasons and wrote that “there is an intimacy with the earth that sustains me.” She put her wonderment into action by monitoring blue birds as a Box Doctor for the Geauga Park District, serving as a Cleveland Zoo docent, creating artful bouquets of flowers, and raising the seed money to establish River Run Park on Solon Road. Her bulletin boards at the Federated Church are legendary: she always started with a meaningful message and then told a story through eye-catching illustrations. Her open-hearted ability to listen shined through her training as a Stephen Minister. As bookends to her volunteerism, Elsie was recognized as Cleveland’s Volunteer of the Year in 1961 and as a founding organizational member of Chagrin Falls Meals on Wheels in 2016 with four decades of service and commitment.

Elsie matriculated Bedford High School as valedictorian and soon set to work with a variety of careers including flight attendant, before attaining an accounting degree. She married Bill Hancock in 1968 and together they owned and operated the Hancock Lumberyard in Chagrin Falls for 30 years. When Bill’s health declined, Elsie cared for him at home until his death in 2001.  A new chapter started for Elsie in 2004 when she married Byron O. LUTMAN, following the death of his wife, Nancy Johnston LUTMAN. Elsie instantly adopted Byron’s growing family of four adult children, eight grandchildren and three great granddaughters. Elsie and Byron built a new life together filled with kindness and affection. A Memorial Service will be held at the Federated Church of Chagrin Falls on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 3:30pm. The family invites you to remember Elsie through a random act of kindness or a contribution to the Federated Church of Chagrin Falls, Chagrin Falls Meals on Wheels, or Geauga County Humane Society’s Rescue Village. Arrangements by Stroud-Lawrence Funeral Home Chagrin Falls, OH. www.stroudlawrence.com

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