Obituary of Barbara Mae Wutz

    Barbara Mae Wutz, longtime resident of Esko, Minnesota, passed away on September 28 at the age of 88.

    Barbara (Barb) was born to Ben and Edna Amyotte and raised in Duluth, graduating from Denfeld High School in 1953. Barb enrolled at the University of Minnesota, Duluth that same year and worked at a variety of jobs to pay for her education. She met her future husband and best friend Richard Wutz just before he left to serve with the US Army in Korea. They married upon his return, and both attended UMD. Their first child Richard Jr. caused them to change focus, Barbara to family matters and Richard Sr. to becoming a Minnesota State Patrol Officer. With the birth of their second child, Dianne, Barb continued to enjoy her role as a wonderful mother. 

    Barb returned to UMD and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Geography in 1974. She earned a Master of Science in Education and Community Counseling from the University of Wisconsin, Superior in 1983. She went on to work at Miller Dwan Hospital as a weight loss counselor for New Horizons and as a member of their Lay Ministry program. In 1994 Barbara’s Christian faith led her to volunteer her services with the Hermantown Community Church in their counseling ministry. 

    Together, Barb and Dick, Sr. enjoyed gardening, antiquing, and traveling. After completing the University of Minnesota’s Master Gardener certification, they dedicated some of their land to vegetable farming and sold their produce at local farmers’ markets. Later Barb started an antique business named for her mother - Edna Victoria Antiques. She had outlets in area antique malls and enjoyed the friends she made who were kindred lovers of all things interesting. Barb and Dick Sr. travelled on a regular basis and were always looking for new places to explore and exciting finds for the shops. She organized and participated in several Country Market Bazaars and had annual garage sales for many years. 

    Mom and Dad were a very important part of their grandchildren’s lives.  They were a wonderful example as they prayed for them, spent time with them individually, loved them unconditionally and spoiled them appropriately. They were at every event or special occasion in their lives. 

    Mom had the most giving and generous heart. Her great sense of humor and enthusiasm were contagious. She modeled kindness and honesty. She introduced us to Jesus as she pursued a relationship with him and is responsible for her family knowing and serving him. The ripple effect of her life will be felt for generations to come, not only in her own family but also in those to whom she showed Jesus’ love. She told us, “It’s all about love”, and she lived her life that way. Her love for others and her faith in God endured to the end of her life. 

    We believe that she is with the Lord and reunited with Dick Sr. in heaven, waiting for, but not rushing us to join them.

    Barbara is preceded in death by her husband Richard C. Wutz Sr., parents Benjamin and Edna Amyotte, and sister Betty LaLonde. She is survived by son Richard C. Wutz, Jr. (Darci Brown) and daughter Dianne Marie Geier (Mark); grandchildren Andrew Geier (Shiori Atsumi), Lauren Dale (Tyler) and Mackenzie Powell (Richard); great-grandchildren Aloise and Frankie; sister Patricia Susler (Frank); along with many nieces and nephews.

    A visitation will take place on Saturday, November 11 at 2pm until the time of service at 3pm, at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Avenue, Duluth, MN.