Luella A. Deutscher, 85, passed away surrounded by family at Ave Maria nursing home on Friday, October 4, 2024, after a difficult and lengthy health battle.
Luella A. Vilhauer was born on July 18, 1939, on a farm near Hosmer, South Dakota, to Anna Mary (Jundt) and August Vilhauer. She was the youngest of 12 children. She spent her early years on the farm. Since she was the youngest and last child at home, she started first grade at the age of 5 with her next oldest sibling, often walking the three miles to and from school. She assisted with many jobs on the farm including driving the horses that pulled the wagon during harvest (age 8 or 9), shocking bundles of grain, and driving a tractor to harvest (age 9). She also used the tractor to get the milk cows back to the barn and then of course, milked the cows.
Her parents moved the family to Ashley when she was 11 and she graduated from Ashley High School at the age of 16. After graduation, Luella moved to Jamestown. Shortly after, she met Reinhold Deutscher at a church event. They married on her birthday, July 18, 1964. They had two daughters, Trina (Deutscher) Ammon and Tricia (Deutscher) Herzig. Family and church were always important to both Luella and Reiny. This was evidenced by the many family meals, get-togethers and time spent with their special grandsons Luke and Kamden. They dedicated much of their life to serving in various capacities at First Assembly of God church.
Luella began working at North Dakota Farmer’s Union (NDFU) State Office in the fall of 1957. She initially worked in the membership department and soon moved to the bookkeeping department. In addition to leading the bookkeeping department, she became the State Treasurer of NDFU in 1980. She was the first female state office holder. She retired in 2004 after 47 years of service.
Luella always enjoyed gardening, canning, and baking. The family cookie baking events were legendary. After retirement, she kept busy by volunteering more at church and spending time with family. She was always willing to lend a hand when asked or help if she knew there was a project going on. She and Reiny rarely missed a Jimmie basketball game.
Luella is survived by her children Trina (Lorin) Ammon, Jamestown and Tricia (Tom) Herzig, Jamestown; grandsons Lucas Ammon and Kamden Herzig, both Jamestown; one sister, Geraldine Engen, Olive Branch, Mississippi; one sister-in-law, Leona Deutscher, Jamestown; and one brother-in-law, LeRoy (Lin) Deutscher, Wolverton, Minnesota.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Reinhold, brothers Elyard Vilhauer, Calvin Vilhauer, Harold Vilhauer, Morris Vilhauer, Paul Vilhauer and sisters Anna Scheurer, Rebecca Scheurer, Alma Vilhauer, Olga Rueb, Delores Curtis.
Open visitation will be from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Wednesday, October 9, 2024, followed by a 7:00 pm prayer service at Eddy Funeral Home, 621 1st Ave S. Jamestown, ND. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at First Assembly of God church, 1720 8th Ave SW, Jamestown, ND. Interment will be held at Highland Home Cemetery in Jamestown, ND, immediately following the service.
A lunch reception will be provided at the church following interment at the cemetery.
Eddy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.