Janice Luttrell

Generous and compassionate, Janice Luttrell was a woman who loved caring for those around her, and who always put others’ needs before her own. Janice lived a life of joyful service, and unstintingly gave of her time and energy to her family, her friends, and many worthy community organizations. Janice’s kindness, generosity, and devotion will live on in the hearts and memories of all those whose lives she touched, both as a cherished memory and a source of inspiration in the years to come.

By 1943, the United States had plunged into World War II, and manufacturers around the country proved to be as efficient at producing war goods as they had been at consumer goods and assembly line cars. Millions of women became employed in jobs left empty as men joined the forces, and rationing of goods such as meat, cheese, and butter was instituted around the country. In the midst of these turbulent times, a gleam of light shone through for proud parents John Joseph Sr. and Eleanor Ruth Klauza as they welcomed their newborn daughter, Janice Joann, into the world on December 22, 1943.

The Klauza family lived in Allen Park, Michigan, where Janice grew up with her five siblings: Joyce, John, Joseph, Angie, and Rochelle. She was musically talented, and in addition to having a beautiful voice also learned to play the piano and organ. In fact, Janice was able to pay her own way through a private high school by playing the organ for church. She was an excellent student, and managed to have perfect attendance until the twelfth grade (at which point an attack of appendicitis broke her record). In her free time, Janice enjoyed playing baseball, a love shared by her father and all her siblings. In one memorable incident, Janice caught a fly ball when playing with a group of guys, and subsequently replaced one of the boys on the team!

Janice graduated from Divine Child High School in the school’s first graduating class. In addition to her excellent schoolwork and musical pursuits, Janice also spent a great deal of time caring for her younger siblings – a job she loved. In fact, even dating Janice became a family affair: for example, the siblings would pile into the back seat when a boy took Janice out to the drive-in theater! Janice had a special relationship with her grandmother, Elsie Boltz-Crowley, who taught her granddaughter the importance of devotion to family and tradition.

Janice married the man who would be the love of her life, Gilbert "Rusty" Luttrell Jr., in the late 1960s. As the years went by, Janice and Gilbert were blessed with two children, whom they named Michael and Danielle. Janice was a loving mother and a wonderful homemaker. She knew her way around a kitchen, and the whole family looked forward to her delicious stuffed cabbage dish. An animal lover, Janice had a series of pets, and the Luttrell home was enlivened by a rabbit (Domino), two German shepherds (Lady and Sugar), and two cats (Crystal and Mandy).

In addition to caring for her family, Janice was also generous in donating her time to community organizations. She was very active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars District 4 Ladies Auxiliary, and served successively as Southgate post secretary, district secretary, and district president. She was a fixture at the VFW post on Thursday evenings, where she worked Bingo every week without fail. Janice also supported various fundraising events, helped out at the Veterans Hospital, and guided other Auxiliaries.

When they had the chance, Janice and Gilbert enjoyed trips to Traverse City and Las Vegas. Closer to home, Janice liked adding to her decorative copper plate and kitchenware collections. She enjoyed playing Yahtzee, and every now and then went to the casino to play slots. In the evenings, Janice could often be spotted catching up on All My Children and General Hospital, or listening to the tunes of Barry Manilow. Above all else, however, Janice loved spending time with her family. Holidays were always her favorite time of the year, and she found tremendous joy through giving to others.

Compassionate, generous, and modest, Janice was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, a loyal friend, and a talented musician. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her many friends and family members.

Mrs. Janice Joann Luttrell died on January 7, 2014, at the age of 70. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 33 beautiful years, Gilbert. Janice’s family includes her children, Michael (Jean) Luttrell and Danielle (Chris) Adams; her grandchildren, Mackenzie and Jacob; her mother, Eleanor Klauza; and her siblings, Joyce Coleman, John Klauza Jr., Joseph Klauza, Angie Austin, and Rochelle Zan.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, with a Scripture Service to be held at 7:30 at the Canton Chapel of Neely-Turowski Life Story Funeral Home, 45100 Warren Road, Canton (between Sheldon and Canton Center Roads). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 44800 Warren Road, Canton, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, with in state starting at 10:30 a.m. You are welcome to sign the guest book at www.TurowskiLifeStory.com prior to arriving at the funeral home.