Josephine Lutz

- Josephine Lutz died on July 16, 2009.   She was born on July 18, 1921, in Stowe Township, PA, to Helena and Matt Beljan, the third of nine children, and married in 1944 to John F. Lutz.   She is survived by her six children (Mark, Diana, Joan, Mary, Amy, and Holly), and four grandchildren (Matt, Sam, Ben, and Emily), and two sisters and a brother (Delores O'Reilly, Regina Stem, and Alfred Beljan).   She was preceded in death by her husband.   Josephine received a BS in Science from Pennsylvania State College (1942); an MN from Yale University (1946); MS degrees in Biochemistry and Nursing (1974 and 1975), and a PhD in Nutritional Sciences (1979), all from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   She attributed her interest in learning to her third grade teacher, Ruth Taylor, who instilled a love for learning in students by using praise and encouragement.   She enjoyed her work as a hospital supervisor and nursing instructor at Cape Palmas Hospital in Liberia, West Africa, and teaching at San Diego State University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Texas at Austin.   Her research increased our understanding of amino acid transport in brain tissues; the effects of the acid-base composition of foods on calcium metabolism; and the genetic relationships of bone density between mothers and their daughters.   She was a Girl Scout Leader for six years, received a Wonder Woman Award in 1984, and a distinguished Alumnae Award from Yale School of Nursing in 1988.   There will be no visitation or formal funeral ceremony.   Instead, Josephine asked that family and friends spend a few moments remembering happy times they spent with her during her life.