Ella Pauline “Polly” Loutzenhiser, a longtime resident of Idyllwild, passed away peacefully in the company of her children, at the age of 83 on July 25, 2010, at Eisenhower Hospital in Rancho Mirage.
Born in Fort Myers, Fla., on Oct. 28, 1926 to a minister’s family of four brothers and a sister, she was raised in Northern Indiana where she met and married her husband, Russ, of 66 years. After he returned from World War II, they moved west to California and raised four children, eventually landing in Idyllwild. A fantastic cook, Polly worked over 20 years at Jan’s Red Kettle restaurant. Everyone adored her soups and pies. Loved by many, she will be missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Russ; and her son, Capt. Mark Loutzenhiser, U.S.F.S. She is survived by her daughters, Cheryl Brown and husband Howard; Beth Pachman and husband Steve; son Michael Loutzenhiser and wife Susan; Mark’s wife Maria; ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.