DR. DONALD W. LUETTJOHANN
Hiawatha
Dr. Donald W. Luettjohann, 66, of Hiawatha, died Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, at St. Luke's Hospital. There will be a Celebration of Life at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Longbranch Convention Center, Grand Ballroom. Iowa Cremation is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Linda; daughter, Laura (Derek) Hurt of Marion; son, Robert of Denver; two sisters, Mary (Bob) Wangsness of Cedar Rapids and Sue (John) Seitz of Vonore, Tenn.; and two grandchildren, Marlee and Sullivan. He also is survived by his mother-in-law, Ethel Pins; sister-in-law, Rosie (Bob) Platz; and four brothers-in-law, Father Herbert Pins, Chuck (Andrea) Pins, Dave Pins and Mike (Nancy) Pins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a nephew, Tom Wangsness; and father-in-law, Jerome Pins.
Don was born April 6, 1949, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Neil and Margaret Kirk Luettjohann. He graduated from Washington High School where he was a member of the diving team. He married Linda K. Pins on Aug. 27, 1976, in Dyersville.
Don graduated from Luther College in Decorah and the College of Medicine in Des Moines. He did his orthopedic residence in Lansing, Mich., where he practiced for several years. The family later moved to Havre, Mont., where he practiced medicine until his retirement in 1993.
After retirement, he attended the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop and pursued a career in writing. Don enjoyed computers, photography, motorcycles, cooking, diving, travel and especially the time spent with his beloved family and many friends. His memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.
Curtis Annett (Annett)
May his memory be eternal.
Frances "Fran" VAN Milligan
I remember Don from German class at Washington. My favorite memory was when he and three others stood up and sang " Flowers On the Wall" by the Statler Brothers. They had translated it into German. The lyrics... from the chorus ..." Oh the flowers on the wall they don't bother me at all, playing solitare till dawn with a deck of fifty one. Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo - now don"t tell me I `ve nothing to do." We laughed hysterically! The brightest, clean cut all American boys singing this song in German in a very structured class room. They should have gotten extra credit for their effort!!! Don no doubt was one of the ringleaders for this shenanigan.
Randolph "Randy" Lyon
Don was in my homeroom for years and was always a great guy.
Stuart Lehr
Sorry to hear that - we are losing way too many of our classmates... wonder why he retired so early in life? Something other than medicine must have really mattered in his life. RIP.
Patricia "Patty" Smith (Baer)
So saddened to hear this news. I agree with the earlier comments. Don had such a great spirit and vibe. He was bright, fun, inventive and a delight to be around. We are indeed losing too many of our wonderful classmates.
Rest in peace Don. Sounds like you lived a life worth living.
Virginia "Ginny" Paxton (Schnarr)
Always so much fun.
Charles Fatka
I was able to visit with him at the reunion at Duffy's. As with many of my classmates, I knew him only slightly, however he was really different. He told me he had rode his motorcycle from Montanta (I believe) to the reunion. When I asked what he was doing now, and he told me he was a medical specialist, which didn't fit the current image at the time. It was a very nice conversation as I recall. It is so sad he is gone too early.
Charles "Chuck" Seapy
I remember Don from the Swimming team. He was fearless. He had his Mom sew padding into the back of an old sweatshirt. He would then go off of the high dive doing as many forward flips as possible. When I see the current add for a National phone company with the guy playing the ""Bullfighting " song and going off the high dive it reminded me of Don. I was saddened to see that he had passed. He was a bright light that left us too soon.
John Rooney (Rooney)
Don and I were friends from 3rd grade thru 12th grade. We lived across the street from each other on 41st Street N.E. in Cedar Rapids. We went to different high schools, I went to Regis High School.
I have many fond memories of Don. From basketball games in our driveway to snowball fights across the street from our own individual snow forts. Don was always competitive, but very humble in all of his accomplishments. He was a big part of my youth growing up in Cedar Rapids.
Searching thru the internet, I was saddened to discover his passing. I know his family will miss him terribly, and my condolences to all his friends and family.
The photo below shows our gang after a cold afternoon of basketball. (L-R) Don, Pat Obrien, me and Bob Bauer. About 1964.
John Rooney
Santa Ana, CA.
Nan Hirleman (Aalborg)
Don and I were together at both Washington High School and Luther College. He was so interesting to talk with and he was so unique in his thoughts and humor. God Bless You, Don