ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO
Martha Louise Hutsen, 98.5, died August 15, 2017, at her home in Roswell, New Mexico.
She was born in Jonesville, Indiana, January 10, 1919, to Bertha Kruse Hill and Harry Gore Hill. She was one of five children, Laverne Artz, Kenneth Hill, Maurice Hill and Audrey Johnson. They were all raised in Columbus, Indiana.
Louise was married to Sidney Earl Hutsen August 23, 1941. Sidney preceded her in death in 2005.
They lived in Columbus, Indiana, where they raised five children. Survivors include her children, Karen Jean Remmele of Roswell, New Mexico, Sidney Randolph “Randy” (Carolyn) Hutsen of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, Suzanne Laverne (Larry) Gaye of Portland, Oregon, Jane Ellen (James) Plank of Jacksonville, Florida, and Katherine Louise Hutsen(Rex) Baumgart of Columbus, Indiana. Louise had seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Sean (Stephanie) Edward Schooley, Courtney Hutsen, Brandon (Valerie) Hutsen, Christopher Gaye, James V. Plank, Katherine “Katie” Jane Plank and William Gabriel “Gabe” Hilt.
Louise graduated from Columbus High School in 1936. She received her teaching degree with a minor in music from Hanover College, where she was a member of the Phi Mu sorority. Upon graduation, she taught in a one-room school house, which is now a church across from Southside Middle School. Louise taught in the Bartholomew County School system full-time upon graduation and substitute taught while raising her children.
She worked at her husband’s company, Insurance and Management, serving on the board and was secretary/treasurer. Louise was active in the First Christian Church, was a member of Grandview Yacht Club and Grandview Garden Club, a former Bartholomew County President of the Republican Party Workshop, past president of Delta Theta Tau, and past president of Zonta International in Columbus, Indiana.
Louise and Sidney moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in 1997. They were members of the Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Church and lived at the Carriage Club of Jacksonville, Florida, where they enjoyed ballroom dancing. They were active and loyal fans of their grandchildren’s interests, attending all their activities: golf, swimming, baseball, softball, and music performances.
In 2013, Louise moved to Roswell, New Mexico, where she lived independently until her death. She was an avid New Mexico Military Institute basketball fan and enjoyed her grandson’s and great-grandchildren’s basketball, baseball, volleyball and music pursuits.
A graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, August 24, 2017, at Columbus City Cemetery with Rev. David Burnett officiating. Calling will be prior to the service from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Heritage Fund-The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County, 538 Franklin St., Columbus, IN 47201.
You are invited to send a message to the family via the internet.
