Louise Whitaker

1931 - 2017

Barbara Louise Lutz Whitaker, 85, of Idaho Falls, passed away April 13, 2017, at her home. She was under the care of Hands of Hope Hospice and her loving family.

Louise was born July 18, 1931, in Rose, Idaho, to Harper Lothair "Tybo" Lutz and Iona Taylor Lutz. She grew up and attended schools in Blackfoot and graduated from Snake River High School.

On Oct. 15, 1951, she married Clarence Earl Whitaker in Blackfoot, Idaho. To this union were born five children, LoAnn, Randy, Craig, Laurie and Steve. Louise and Clarence made their home in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Clarence passed away in 1981. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Louise worked in medical records as a coder at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various capacities, including stake camp director, Young Women's president, ward camp director, primary president and visiting teacher. Louise served in the Idaho Falls Temple, served an 18-month mission at the Distribution Center and was a member of Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

Louise loved a big garden and full flower beds, reading, collecting spoons and cookbooks and spending time with her family in Island Park.

Louise is survived by her daughter, LoAnn (Evan) Belnap, of Iona, Idaho; son, Randy E. (Jeanne) Whitaker, of Garden Valley, Idaho; son, Craig Whitaker, of Island Park, Idaho; daughter, Laurie (Dean) Durgan, of Florence, Oregon; sister in-law, Dona Lutz, of Pocatello, Idaho; 16 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Steven C. Whitaker; twin brother, LaMar T. Lutz; and great-granddaughter, Brevan Belnap.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22, at Iona LDS 8th Ward, 4459 John Adams Parkway, with Bishop Steven Boyle officiating. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wood East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Iona Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.