Elda Steinke Lutter

Click to view the Video Tribute for Elda


Elda Steinke Lutter was born to Max and Ida Steinke on August 22, 1917, in Otto, Texas-the eldest of seven children. She was baptized on October 7, 1917, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Riesel, TX. She attended parochial school through seventh grade and graduated from Mart High School in Mart, TX. Following high school, she attended the National Business College in Waco, TX, for two years. She was an employee of an insurance agency until 1941, when she accepted a position with the US Navy Department in Washington, DC. This was during the time the young men of our country started being drafted into military service for World War II. At the same time, many young women enlisted in the WAVES (a women's auxiliary corps of the US Navy) or in the WACS (a women's auxiliary corps of the U. S. Army) to serve their country. Following the end of World War II in 1945, she accepted a position with the Veterans Administration at Fort Snelling in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Elda married Martin Lutter in January 1948. This marriage was blessed with three daughters. Martin began his college teaching career in the History Department of Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 1953, Martin accepted a teaching position in the History Department of Concordia College in Moorhead, and some time thereafter completed his Ph.D. degree. The move to Moorhead gave Elda an opportunity to pursue her life's dream of a college education. In 1973 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from Concordia College. After graduation, she was employed in the Office of Placement and Career Counseling at Concordia College until she retired in 1986.

Elda died Saturday, February 2, 2013, at Eventide Lutheran Home, Moorhead, at ninety-five years of age.

Elda devoted much time to her family. She gave of her time and talents to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Concordia College, and the Fargo-Moorhead YWCA, especially its shelter for woman and children. As a member of the Fargo-Moorhead League of Women Voters she held leadership roles and supported local and state government projects. Her travels took her through twenty-five states, Canada, and Europe.

Elda was preceded in death by her husband, parents, three sisters, and three brothers. She is survived by her daughters, Linda Lutter of Minnetonka, MN; Lisa Lutter of Manhattan, NY, and Laurie Lutter of Bloomington, MN; and grandchildren Derek Frey of Quito, Ecuador and Taryn Frey of Bloomington (children of Laurie).

Memorials may be made to Concordia College C-400 program (Moorhead, MN), American Cancer Society, or Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd music fund.

Visitation for Elda will be Monday, February 4, 2013, from 5 - 7 PM, in
Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.

Her funeral will be Tuesday, February 5, 2013, at 3 PM, in Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead.

Burial will be held at a later date in Riverside Cemetery, Huron, SD.