Jean L. Lutz-Sternlieb

The eternally young Jean Lutz-Sternlieb passed away peacefully in her sleep two days shy of her 99th birthday on May 3, 2025. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Edward H. and Edna B. (Plamann) Lutz on May 5, 1926. The family later moved to the Village of Chenequa, where she graduated from Hartland High School in 1944. Jean worked as an administrative assistant in the chaplains’ office at the VA Hospital in Milwaukee and retired from there in 1980. Here she met her future husband, Dr. Richard Stermlieb, and those two crazy kids eloped to Las Vegas in May of 2004 after an extended courtship.

Jean will be joyously remembered as the “fun aunt” by her nieces and nephew who survive her: Wendy (the late Richard) Tolzmann, Melissa (the late Gregory) Freiberg, Jay (Gwynn) Fielder, and Polly Mueller. She is also survived by great-nieces, Dawn (Eric) Fischer, Amanda (Drew) Gottheardt, Chloe (Brett) Surinak, Dana Fiedler, Kim (Kyle) Lutz-Sweet, Shalynn (Adam) Frank, and Amy (Mark) Savageau; great-nephew, Lucas Freiberg; and many cutie great-great nieces and nephews.

Aunt Jeanie was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Edna Lutz; her husband, Richard Sternlieb; her brother and sister-in-law Ray and Emilie Lutz; her sister and brother-in-law, Elaine and LeRoy Fiedler; and her nephew, Randy Lutz. She will be greatly missed by many other friends and extended family.

Jean’s smile and laugh lit up the room, always a ray of sunlight in any gathering. We were blessed to have her in our lives for so many years, though she would still contend that she never passed 29 years old.

The family would like to offer our gratitude for the kindness and affection shown to Jean by the management and staff at Hartland Place, the gentle care of the Pro Health Hospice team, the thorough and compassionate care of medical staff at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital and the calm patience of the Lake Country Fire and Rescue, with whom she earned frequent flyer miles in a short time. If you find time in your life to give any of these people thanks in Jean’s name, you will hear her giggling from heaven.

Funeral services will be held for Jean on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church, 31385 Hill Road, Hartland, WI. Visitation will begin at 11:00AM with the service at 12 noon.