Deborah "Debby" Ann Lutz, 65, of Chief, died unexpectedly Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, at home with her loved ones near her. She was born Aug. 21, 1952 in Grand Rapids the eldest child of Calvin "Pete" and Lorraine (Anderson) Lutz.

Debby attended Kaleva Elementary School and graduated from Brethren High School.

She worked on the family farm until she was in her early 20s. Later she worked at the Little River Casino and enjoyed meeting everyone. She was awarded Employee of the Year at Little River and it meant a great deal to her.

Debby loved her bowling league, watching the Detroit Tigers (even when they lost), and all sports involving Michigan State. Anyone who knew Debby understood how much people meant to her. Anywhere Debby went, whether it was shopping or a doctor appointment, she always knew someone. What amazed everyone is that she knew their children (oftentimes their birthdays and phone numbers) and everything about their lives. She asked a lot of questions and did not forget the answer.

Debby is survived by her parents, Pete and Lorraine Lutz; her siblings, Connie (David) Lutz Eckenrode, Calvin (Julie) Lutz II and Christopher (Kristin) Lutz; and two cousins who were like sisters to her, Carol (Joel) Niemi Meister and Diane (Dennis) Neimi Mackey.

Anyone who met Debby's beautiful dog, Oscar, a goldendoodle, knew how much she loved him. He was with her at her passing.

Debby did not have children but all of her nieces and nephews - Matthew Eckenrode, Emily Eckenrode Spiering, Eva Lutz Bradford, Calvin Lutz III, Jared Lutz, Wyatt Lutz, Sophie Lutz and Isabel Lutz; and great-nieces and nephews, Anna, Emma, Lane, Bailey, Calvin IV, Kayden, Jack, Layton and Lincoln - were Deb's children, and she cherished all of them as if they were her own.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Onekama, with the Reverend Paul Pollatz officiating. Interment will follow in the Bear Lake Township Cemetery in Bear Lake. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, August 12, 2018, at the Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Health St. Mary's Kidney Transplant Center in Grand Rapids or to the Manistee County Humane Society.

The Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva is in charge of arrangements; www.terwilligerfuneralhome.com.