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.

Similar Posts

  • Obituary: Diana Rose Harvey

    By Reading Time: 1 minute

    Diana Rose (Lightell) Harvey, 65, passed away on March 6, 2010. She was born on Oct. 19, 1944 in New Orleans, La. to Margaret Mary (Bourgeois) Lightell and Herman Lightell. She was married to Clark Lee Harvey on April 13, 1964 in Riverside, Calif. Diana’s quick and surprising death reminds us all to live every…

  • Obituary: Ann Lumsden

    By Reading Time: 2 minutes

    Ann Lumsden, 88, of Boulder, Colo., died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, at Boulder Manor Nursing Home. Ann was born in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1923, but spent most of her life in Southern California. She was a professional singer for many years. She met her late husband, William Lumsden, a paratrooper in World War II,…

  • Obituary: Norma Jeanne Wilson

    By Reading Time: 1 minute

    Norma Jeanne Wilson, 82, of Idyllwild, died of natural causes in Palm Desert Monday, March 10, 2003. She was born July 28, 1921, in Saginaw, Mich. Ms. Wilson was an occupational therapist working with children. She was a member of the Idyllwild Bible Church and was a volunteer of the children’s program at the Wycliffe…

  • Life Tribute: Douglas Coleman Austin 1947-2021

    By Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Although he is gone, if you listen, you can still hear Doug Austin’s resounding greeting of “Good day, My Lady,” and his easy laughter echoing through our forest. He was a rare soul, a renaissance man whose heart beat with kindness, generosity, wisdom, grace and goodwill. Doug transitioned peacefully from this world on Friday, Nov….

  • Note from Pearson family friends

    ByIdyllwild Town Crier Reading Time: 2 minutes

    Pearson memorial note from Vicky Twardowski-Kyriss & Maria Loutzenhiser :To our Idyllwild family community and friends, we want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love to Martha Pearson, Ray and their kids during this very difficult time.Unfortunately, Mike and Emily’s sudden deaths have created many unexpected expenses for the family. In the era of…