Agatha Lydia Holtman was born on May 16, 1889 to August Holtman and his wife Anna in Cass County, Illinois near Beardstown. She departed this life on Friday evening, March 12, 1971 in the Sidney Memorial Nursing Home after a lingering illness, at the age of 81 years, 9 months and 26 days.

She was baptized on June 9, 1889 by Pastor Loeschen, and attended parochial school. She was confirmed on April 10. 1905 in Beardstown by Pastor F. Berg. Her confirmation Memorial verse was John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." On October 14, 1908 she was united in marriage to Henry Lutkehus. To this union three children were born: two sons, Wilbur and August, and one daughter, Anna Marie. On February 1,1915 the family moved to a farm northeast of Lodgepole, Nebraska and later moved to a farm east of Chappell. Mr. Lutkehus passed away in June 1960 and she moved in to town where she had her own home. She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Chappell and joined the Ladies Aid in October 1919 and had been a faithful member ever since.

She leaves to mourn her passing two sons: Wilbur and August, both of Chappell and one daughter, Mrs. Anna Naylor of Sacramento, California; also four grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 1 brother Louis Holtman, a sister, Mrs. Regina Haley, and a host of other relatives and friends.
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Funeral Sermon - Mrs. Agatha Lutkehus - March 16, 1971 - Text: Psalm 23

Fellow Christian friends and in particular esteemed mourners:

Again we are met to take part in a funeral service. One by one the aged pioneers of our congregation and community are passing into eternity. Altho seriously ill for some time, Grandmother Agatha Lutkehus fell asleep sooner than most of us had anticipated last Friday evening. Yet, also this occasion reminds us of the Words of our Savior: "Watch therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man cometh."


Sometime pastors are called upon to preach a funeral sermon at the burial of people who have turned to the Lord in their last fleeting hours or minutes after a life of sin and unbelief. The grace of God snatched them, as it were, as live brands from the burning. There is, of course, joy in heaven over one sinner that repents, even when repenting on his death bed and during the final moments of his life; and the church magnifies the grace of God for this benediction. However, in such cases we cannot apply the Word of God: "I have fought a good fight: I have finished the course; I have kept the faith," as St. Paul states. Nor can we speak of the fine services he has rendered in God's Kingdom.


In today's services, however, we could justly engage in enumerating the many commendable services the departed sister in Christ has rendered in a long life of church related work. Ever since her early baptism in childhood she was actively engaged in serving her Lord and Savior. Yet, Knowing her as we did, we are confident that she would not want the pastor to relate a long list of her good works rendered in the Kingdom of God. She would rather have all glory ascribed to her dear Lord and Savior who had graciously called her into His Kingdom and made her a workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works.


Yet, we would like to refer to her diligent reading of the Bible. In her Bible was found this poem (read). We do not agree with many painters and artists, who when they depict a Bible reader, usually paint an aged grandmother or grandfather with heavy spectacles, reading the Bible; thus giving the thought that only the extremely aged are readers of this Holy Book. Have you ever noticed in reading the chapter in which occurs the exhortation quoted a while ago: "Watch, ye therefore," ect., that the Lord does not say: "Ten aged grandmothers went to sleep"; but "Ten virgins," young ladies, went to sleep." Also the youth must read the Bible diligently in order to be prepared when their Lord cometh.


In an obituary the deceased, whose mortal remains we shall shortly accompany to their final earthly resting place, referred to some of her favorite Bible passages as Psalms 46, Psalms 90, 91, and 92 and especially Psalms 23. On this latter Psalm let us now base our meditation and note its comfort as it applies to life and in the hour of death.

King David is speaking in this Psalm by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He had experienced many reverses and afflictions. He had been called away from his sheep and brought to King Saul to serve him. Here he was often in danger. He had to flee at times to hide in caves and forests; suffered hunger and thirst, privations and other hardships. Later his own son Absolom rebelled against him. While King one of his subjects cast stones at him and cursed him before his subjects. Those were trying days. Many were the anxious queries of David. What were the reasons for all these afflictions? Yet, her remained faithful. Yes, he wrote: "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness." The paths and ways in which his Shepherd led him were right. Tho many a time they seemed utterly wrong; yet never proved wrong. His Good Shepherd was directing him in the right directions. Never in deadends and blind alleys. Always right. This was his conviction. "Paths of righteousness". More than that. "For His Names sake." What's His name? "Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins."


We all like sheep had gone astray. However, Jesus saved us and led us into paths of righteousness. When the time was fulfilled God sent forth His Son. "He was put under the Law; to fulfill the Law in our stead." More: He was also wounded for our transgressions. He suffered and died for us, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Thus He prepared for us a righteousness with which we can stand before God and say with the poet: "Jesus blood and righteousness my beauty are, my glorious dress." Thus he reconciled us to God. "He is the Way...no man cometh unto the Father but by Him" Thus "God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son." What a comfort for David!



It was similar for the deceased. In all her affliction, she knew that her paths upon which she was traveling, they were right. Her dear Shepherd was leading her. To mention a few: I'm thinking just now of the drought; the dust storms and black blizzards of the thirties, when the dust piled up like snow drifts. Great sand dunes were heaped along the fences, so that the farmers took their bulldozers to push away these drifts and keep the cattle in the dry pastures. So dark the dust clouds gathered that on certain days street lights were turned on in the towns and cities. The dust gathered even in the homes. At one farm we once found the family heavily clothed because of the chilly days and scarcity of fuel; each one standing and eating his sandwich; the food had to be covered with wet sheets to keep the dust out of the eatables. But the Christians also in those days could say: "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness. Take Thou my hand and lead me o'er life's rough way. With heavenly manna feed me, from day to day. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness."


However, there is also comfort in the hour of death. David wrote: "Tho I walk thru the valley of death." David here sees the flock of sheep winding down into the dark shadows of the mountains, gorges and ravines; their path is veiled; they cannot see where their next step will fall; but their shepherd goes on ahead and holds up his peeled staff; it shines thru the gloom. They are trusting his leadership.


Thus the Christian will trust his Good Shepherd. It is because Jesus died and rose again that He is the believer's last trusted Friend in the solemn hour which every mortal dreads by natural instinct; the hour when the silver cord is broken, the picture shattered at the wall; when the immortal spirit must quit its tabernacle of clay and return to God who gave it. The valley of death; not only into it, but thru it. Death for the believer is only a shadow. A shadow of the lion's mouth has never yet harmed anyone. And the Light that causes this shadow is Christ Himself. Thou art with me, says the trusting Christian. "O death where is thy sting, O grave where is thy victory. It is Christ who giveth us the victory. Thou art with me. His presence in life made every burden light; every task easy; and in the hour of death courage, hope sublime, that leads to the goal. "Oh happy day and yet far happier hour; when wilt thou come at last when fearless to my Father's love and power my soul I gladly render."


What a comfort also to you, dear mourners. Faithfully following in your mother's foot steps in her trust in your Good Shepherd, you, too,
shall not want (lack) rest: for "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures."
shall not want (lack) drink: for "He leads you beside still waters."
shall not want (forgiveness) for "He restoreth your soul."
shall not want a guide for "He leads you in paths of righteousness."
shall not want companionship: "He is with you."
shall not want comfort: for "Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me."


Hence, "Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes, shine thru the gloom and point me to the skies; heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee, comfort in life and death, O Lord, abide with me. Amen