Obituary of Millard Loutzenhiser

Sunday morning January 7, 2007 old “Milâ€? died at age 84. Millard Loutzenhiser was born August 3, 1922 at Jewel, Kansas. He was #8 of nine children. His parents were Ernest J. & Edith G. Loutzenhiser. The birth order of his siblings was as follows: Lester, Donald, Clair, Everett, Irene, Vera, Rex, Millard and Lila. The family moved to a farm in the Shiloh district 17 miles N.E. of Flagler, Colorado in December 1928. They experienced “make doâ€? times during the “Great Depressionâ€?. Neighbors helped neighbors and little cash ever changed hands. Saturday night entertainment was most often a Sunday School party. The Saturday bath was taken in the wash tub. As a kid Millard liked to hunt ducks, but the ducks were lucky and pretty safe. He learned to play tennis in elementary school and he loved the game. He always had a passion for skiing and made his last ski run at age 70 on Big Burn at Snowmass. Millard served three and on half years in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was able to save enough money to buy some land and after returning home, with his dad’s help, started farming. He attended Barnes Business School on the “G.I. Billâ€?. During the Korean War he worked at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital as an accountant. After Fitz he continued to farm and work at other government agencies. While at the Interior Department he met Rhoda Voxland, a teacher from Minnesota. A stroke of luck, Rhoda was the most cherished of all that life had given him. She truly was the love of his life. They were married and to this union was born John Douglas, James Paul and David Eric. Millard was very proud of each and every member of his family. Millard and his wife Rhoda liked to travel and of all the places they had ever been, none compared to the joy of spending time with the 6 grandchildren. Millard was grateful that his parents had nurtured their children in the church and that he had accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior at a young age. Deep inside he held the need for the love of God. The wise guidance of his mother and father, the church and many, many teachers and others, along with family and friends, shaped Millard Loutzenhiser’s life. He was keenly aware that without God’s help, true success in life can be very, very elusive. As the saying goes, “you can’t pull your self up by your own boot strapsâ€?; and so, he always felt that even though he worked hard, his achievements were mainly due to the gifts and good will of mostly every one else. This philosophy shined through as Millard touched many lives with his insightfulness, generosity, caring and sense of humor. Millard is survived by his loving wife, Rhoda and 3 children; John (Caroline) Loutzenhiser of Parker, CO; Jim (Cristi) Loutzenhiser of Cambridge, MA; and David (Lori) Loutzenhiser of Louisville, CO. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren (Katy, Stacey, Griffin, Matthew, Linden and Peter), 1 sister, Lila Brouwer of Flagler, CO,1 brother, Rex Loutzenhiser of Flagler, CO and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to the Flagler Community Ambulance Service, Flagler, CO 80815. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, January 10, 11:00am at the Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church, 10150 E. Belleview Ave in Englewood and Wednesday, January 10, 4:00 pm at the Flagler Cemetery in Flagler, CO.