Dale R. Lutjens

Dale R. Lutjens, 68, Mandan, passed away November 18, 2016, at home. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, November 26, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with Rev. Craig A. Schweitzer officiating. The celebration of Dale’s life will continue at 3:30 pm Saturday at the Tumbleweed in Lincoln. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck. Cremation has taken place. Dale was born March 14, 1948, in Valley City, ND, the son of John “Jack” and Helen (Linerud) Lutjens. Dale grew up in Valley City and attended schools there. He graduated from Valley City High School in 1966. Dale also attended Valley City State University. After graduating in 1971, he taught school in Marion, ND, for a few years. Dale moved to Bismarck and sold insurance and jewelry. His sales career continued working for OSP, a subsidiary of the Reader’s Digest Association. He promoted fundraising programs for schools in North Dakota for 21 years until retiring in 2008. Dale married Lorraine (Timm) Sichmeller on August 28, 1976, at a private ceremony with best friends, Wayne and Ellen Jacobson at Faith Lutheran Church in Bismarck. The couple made their home in Bismarck until December 2014 when they moved to Mandan. The couple spent winters at Sun Village in Surprise, AZ. Dale golfed, watched spring training baseball, football and hockey. He loved watching the hummingbirds, going walking, snooping at Goodwill Stores, and enjoying AZ friends and neighbors. Throughout his life Dale was an avid hunter, golfer, fisherman, motorcyclist, basketball, baseball, softball, football, and card player. He enjoyed his morning coffee friends in his man cave (garage). Dale was also a lifetime member of the Elks. Dale is survived by his wife, Lorraine; son, Travis Sichmeller; two grandsons, Chance and Travis Jr. Sichmeller; sister, Diana Wieland, Sibley; two brothers, John “J.O.” Lutjens, Valley City, and Rod Lutjens, West Fargo; three step-sisters, Deb Anderson, Joy Green, and Cheryl Burg; three step-brothers, Guy Anderson, Ryan Anderson, and Darrin Anderson, Fargo; and also many godchildren, nieces, nephews, and very special friends and relatives. Dale was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Lutjens; father, John “Jack” Lutjens; stepmother, Charlotte Lutjens; brother, Keith; and nephew, Tommy Wieland Jr. The family wishes give to give a special thank you to Dr. John Botsford and staff, Dr. Keith Bible, Medical Oncology Cancer, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, and CHI St. Alexius Hospice, especially RN Mandi. Memorials preferred to be decided by the Dale Lutjens family.