PATTI LUTZENHISER

Granddaughter

The funeral was held in a little funeral home in which his wife Garé's funeral was held several years before. It was a small funeral due to Grandpa Carl's wishes not to have the media and too many fans present. Upon arrival we were, as family taken for private viewing of all the flowers and casket etc. It is a VERY small funeral home and done in kind of a mission style. 

Entering the foyer of the funeral home one was greeted by one of the care givers named Serene. All of the funeral arrangements were made by Grandpa Carl before his death. He NEVER wanted to burden the family to our dispare. As you passed  the greeting line you encountered the picture board. It was full of pictures of Grandpa Carl's dear friends, family, business friends, and fans.
The mood was upbeat and more of a celebration of a great man. We all had hoped he would live to be 100 but he had a WONDERFUL life full of a passion he shared with the world. This was a gathering of his CLOSEST family and friends.  The flowers were picked by the caregivers as none of the family were allowed in his home or to take part in the funeral arrangements. They were white roses, carnations, a mixture of greens in a beautiful spray that covered the casket.  The casket was  beautiful with lots of Silver.
He chose all of the music, the minister, the whole funeral was laid out by him before he died. I did not know that my brother Brad had written a song for his funeral and did not hear it until that day.

We the family met before the funeral for lunch at the Holiday Inn where most of the family stayed. Family members present were
Bradley Pattie, grandson, mother was Peggy
Jackie Stevenson, granddaughter, mother was Peggy
Patti Lutzenhiser, granddaughter, mother was Peggy
my husband John Lutzenhiser
Rachel Baker, greatgranddaughter, daughter of John and I
Greatgrandson Jody Pattie
Greatgrandson Neal Pattie
Greatgranddaughter Brenda Berry
all children of Brad
Carl's brother Clyde's family; Bill Barks and his daughter and some of who I did not know, nor have met.

I had not met most of the people except for Gerry Tank and Malcolm Willits. I did not get a chance to talk with anyone until after the funeral. The eulogies were wonderful given by Rev Bergen and Donald Ault. Donald Ault cried as he talked of my grandfather and it was very touching. Rev Bergen consoled him as he talked.
The caregivers all sat on one side with business associates and friends, people from the art world and comic world also. There were many tears from people who were a big part of his life. I and my brother and our familys sat in the front row. 
When the eulogies were over my brother got his guitar and spoke of the song he wrote to honor Grandpa Carl. Golden Year's, the song set almost everyone crying as it was a very touching tribute to Grandpa Carl. After that David Veselik sang Amazing Grace, he was a care giver also for Grandpa Carl.

The minister's eulogy was given on a note of Grandpa Carl's life and how he lived it, it was on the right on the mark. At the end of his talk the minister said: "Before you all leave Carl has invited ALL of you at this funeral for a bite to eat at his favorite eating place, The Yankee Pot Roast, as usual Carl's treat."

We then waited as the funeral host opened the casket for our last look at Grandpa Carl. He was so frail looking, nothing like he was a year before. I know he suffered alot and never complained about it.
There were no church services per say as most often here in America it is more of a personal memorial service instead of a church service like in Europe. The minister just comes and says a few things on the person's life and no church activities are observed. There was no Choir present just Organ music.
The burial was not until the next day so the casket was not taken anywhere that day. As far as I know the Honorary Casket Bearers were Steve Geppi, Dr. Gerry Tank, Bruce Hamilton, Russell Meyers, Donald Ault and Malcolm Willits.

After the funeral everyone met at the Yankee Pot Roast in downtown Grant's Pass and were greeted by the hostess who showed us into a large room. The restaurant is a huge brick home converted into a 1800's period theme with ladies in long dresses and dust hats and white aprons. English style I guess you could call it. We were given a choice of three different dinners Chicken, Beef or Pork and a wonderful selection of wines and beverages.
As we all got seated at our tables of choice we all mingled and talked. I got a chance to talk to Rev Bergen, Malcolm Willits and Bruce Hamilton. Many others drifted by to chat and talk about Grandpa Carl and how they knew him. We all were concerned about the continuation of Grandpa Carl's work and how it would be done? Most of my letters and phone conversations with these people since have been in regards to the trust and how it operates.

As the dinner progressed we all came to one conclusion that he would be greatly missed by all. We all said our fairwells and knew that only a few had been invited to the burial the next day. Most of the people had to return home that day even I.
My brother said it was a VERY small group at the cemetary the next day but that it was very warmly done.