Barbara Jean Gittinger

1941 - 2021

Barbara Jean (Lutz) Gittinger
Barbara Jean (Lutz) Gittinger went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday April 7, 2021, four months before her 80th birthday. She is preceded in death by her husband Theodore D. Gittinger, her grandson Aaron Moore, two brothers (Clayton Lutz and Milton J. Lutz), two sisters (Rita Mecke and Margorie Eckert), brothers in law (Robert MeckeCharles Eckert and Art Neugebauer). She is survived by her six children and fifteen grandchildren: Carol Gittinger (Debbie Harris), Mary Moore (Kevin), Trudy Richter (Ricky), Diana Gittinger, Ted Gittinger (Adriana), and Ben Gittinger (Britney), Lily Harris, Frankie Harris, Alyza Moore, Noah Moore, Sam Richter (Lauren), Elliott Richter, Luke Richter, Claire Smith, Wil Smith, Josephine Smith, Victoria Gittinger, Rose Gittinger, Abigail Jones-Gittinger, Miles Gittinger, and Evan Gittinger, her brother Thomas Lutz, and sisters Frances Neugebauer, Geraldine Gueldner, and Virginia Shannon.
Barbara was born the eighth child of Milton E. and Josephine Rihn Lutz on August 8, 1941 in San Antonio, Texas. She is a descendant of Laurentius Rihn and Catharina Kley, part of the original settlers of Castro's colony in Medina County, Texas.
Barbara was educated at St. Anne's School and Providence High School, where she played volleyball, participated in choir and Girl Scouts, and graduated as Salutatorian. She married Ted Gittinger on December 26, 1960. As a military family, they moved frequently in the early years, adding six children as they went along. In 1973 the family moved to Austin where Ted pursued advanced education and Barbara worked to support the family. She supported her children's activities by being a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout pack mom, Little League volunteer, chaperone, booster clubs of all kinds.
Barbara worked at Austin Stamp and Stencil Company where she learned all aspects of managing a small business. She left for a job at the Texas Department of Transportation and rose through the ranks to a supervisory position. After marriage, putting her husband through school, and raising six children, she returned to her education 39 years later and graduated from St. Edward's University in 1999 with a BA and minor in accounting. She retired in 1999 after twenty four years of service.
Barbara was a devout Catholic her entire life. She was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church for forty eight years. She served as a lay minister and a member of the Catholic Daughters organization. She cooked and baked for those learning job skills at Safeplace, for the parish priests, and fundraising bake sales. In 2009, she was a Lumen Gentium (Light of the World) honoree in recognition of service and faithfulness. Barbara was also active in Drive A Senior, and served on the Finance Committee and the Board of Directors. She especially enjoyed her Small Christian Community group.
In her younger years, Barbara liked to bowl and play bridge and more recently to do puzzles. She was always crafty and enjoyed sewing, ceramics, and after her husband Ted died, took up his jewelry and beading craft.
Barbara beat cancer but suffered from Parkinson's disease and hypertension. She participated in Power for Parkinson's exercise classes and performed in their annual gala. She spent the last few years at the Village at the Triangle retirement center, where she enjoyed participating in the social and cultural offerings as well as being pampered with regular cleaning of her apartment, prepared meals, and dessert after every meal if she so desired. She especially enjoyed the water aerobics and the conversations at meal time.
The family was able to have a small gathering on Easter Sunday and for that we are very thankful. She is no longer in pain and is reunited with her husband Ted and other relatives.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Drive A Senior, St. Ignatius Catholic Church and the Power for Parkinson's organizations.
Visitation 9:00 am on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church with Rosary to begin at 9:30 am services will be livestreamed. Funeral Mass at 10:00 am and can be accessed via the link https://st-ignatius.org/live. Burial services will be held on May 11, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery in San Antonio, TX.