Cindy Lutter

Cindy Lutter, 64, of Gann Valley, SD, died Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 5, at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Kimball, SD. Burial was at St. Margaret’s Catholic Cemetery in Kimball. Visitation was Thursday April 4, from 5-7 p.m. at the church with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Cynthia Ann (Simon) Lutter was born on December 21, 1959 to Richard and Florence Simon in Hoven, SD. She enjoyed growing up on the family farm seven miles south of town. Some of her treasured childhood experiences included gathering eggs, biking to town, swimming, singing, playing percussion in band, and running track as a proud Hoven Greyhound. Family bonding with her four siblings and many cousins was another large part of growing up. With her dad being a Simon, and mom being a Rausch, she had over 75 first cousins within a stone’s throw.

After high school, Cindy earned an accounting degree at Presentation College in Aberdeen, SD. During school she worked at Baskin Robbins (27 flavors back then). Post graduation, work life began at Coca-Cola in Aberdeen doing bookkeeping and playing cupid, connecting one of her double cousins with a close friend/coworker.

While still living in Aberdeen, Cindy attended a friend’s wedding in Kimball in the summer of ‘83. Jim Lutter (a person not invited to said wedding) crashed the dance and made his introduction to compliment Cindy on her beautiful hair. This bold spray pilot invited her to breakfast later while crop dusting out of Aberdeen. Between many a handwritten letter and long-distance phone calls, this relationship bloomed on Easter when he proposed. The two were married on October 13, 1984, in Hoven on a Saturday, at the beautiful Cathedral on the Prairie. Anniversaries were celebrated monthly, many of which being on Friday the 13th.

After moving to Gann Valley, Cindy began work at Midstate Telephone Company in Kimball. Their first child, Josh, came in 1987. A short 13 months later, Becky joined the family. With two children under two, Cindy quit her job in town, became a stayat home mom, and did the bookkeeping for Valley Spraying Service. Six years later, their third child, Katie, was born. Raising three children, with Jim by her side (and sometimes a radio call away), her life in faith and family grew. Farming, raising a variety of livestock including buffalo, and hosting hunters who felt more like family kept the grass from growing under her feet (disregard the fact that it almost never rained in Buffalo County).

Teaching religious education to other children, as well as her own, was one of her passions. She was honored to be a godmother, treating them as her own. When she could find the time, she loved scrapbooking and preserving family memories. With all three kids in school, Cindy thoroughly enjoyed a few years spent serving as the Wessington Springs Elementary School library aid. She never missed any of the kids’ extracurricular activities. Attending these things gave her great joy. As an active and proud member of the Catholic Daughters, she served many roles including court regent.

In 2020, she was unexpectedly diagnosed with gallbladder cancer and PSC. After enduring surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, she was blessed with three more years. In that time, she enthusiastically welcomed new members to the family and experienced many more adventures with Jim. As health complications progressed over the last year, numerous tests were performed yielding inconclusive results, and God chose to call her home.

She is survived by her husband, James of Gann Valley; three children, Joshua (Kelly) Lutter of Mitchell, Rebecca Lutter (Shane Teichmeier) of Gann Valley, and Kathryn (Tyrel) Long of Kimball; grandchildren, Mildred Long, Jacob Lutter, Nora Long, and one on the way (Joshua’s); brother, Randy (Carol) Simon; sisters, Lila (Gerry) Lacher and Bonnie Simon; and in-laws, Lloyd & Jerri Lutter, Donna Lutter, Tim & Janet Lutter, Janet Lutter, Deniel “Dan” & Mary Lutter, and Lauree & Don Scott.

She was preceded in death by two miscarried children; sister, Kristi; brothers, Vernon and Allen; parents, Richard and Florence Simon; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bernard and Clara Lutter; and brothersin- law, Jerome “Butch” Lutter and Kerry Lutter.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: St. Anthony’s Hoven Foundation PO Box 131, Hoven, SD 57450 Catholic Daughters Ct. St. Patrick PO Box 112, Kimball, SD 57355