OLD LYME — Lois Janeen Lutender, 86, passed on September 19, 2022. She was born June 5, 1936, in Duluth, Minnesota to Freda and George Christiansen. She married her loving husband Carl Lutender on July 2, 1960, and they celebrated 55 years of marriage before his passing in 2016.
Lois graduated from St. Olaf College in Minnesota in 1958, majoring in music which was a lifelong joy. After college, she made a courageous move to Connecticut for a music teaching position.
Together with her husband, they raised five children and owned several restaurants across the shoreline. In 1990, they opened and managed The Hideaway Restaurant in Old Lyme until their retirement in 2006, and moved to Sarasota, Fla.
They treasured their time together, seldom apart, and cherished similar passions including travel, music, and live performances.
She moved back to Connecticut in 2019.
Her greatest joy was being a devoted wife and mother. She is survived by her children, all of whom graduated from Lyme-Old Lyme High School:- Laurie and her husband Michael Walker of Old Lyme, Keith Lutender of Sarasota, Fla., Lynn and her husband David Bocian of Hilton Head, S.C., Gail and her husband Bob Hartin of Oceanside, Calif., and five grandchildren, Andrew Walker, Gary Bocian, Jack Bocian, Samuel Bocian, and Riley Hartin.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her dear son Gary, and sister, Shirley Lachowski.
She will be laid to rest in the Eight Mile River Cemetery with her beloved husband and the light of her life – her son, Gary.
Donations in her memory may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now.
Fulton Theroux Funeral Home in Old Lyme is entrusted with her care with a private burial.