Anne W. (Tutz) Wyss

Anne passed away on November 5, 2016 in Birmingham Alabama at age 93. She was born on May 21, 1923 to Eugene Winicker and Christina Luhman Winicker at their home in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. She told the story of being born on laundry day and her aunts emptying the laundry basket to make a bed for her. Anne had 2 older brothers, Robert (Bob) and Eugene (Bud). Their father died when she was five, and she was raised by her mother, her 2 maiden Aunts, Anna and Minnie Luhman and three uncles in a large Victorian home on Washington Street. She told her children often about the great depression and how hobos coming in on the Nickle Plate Railroad would be welcomed by a sign on their back gate and come to their back door. Aunt Annie never turned them away. She would give them something to eat and the three kids would sit on the back steps listening to the hobo’s stories of their travel adventures in far off places. Anne attended Concordia Lutheran Grade School and graduated third in her class at Central High School in Fort Wayne and was a proud member of their drum corps and band. She received a full ride scholarship to Indiana University School of Education. But due to the outbreak of WW II, she was unable to attend IU and instead became an air raid warden with the Civil Defense Corps in Fort Wayne during the war. While traveling with Alen in Florida and New York during WW II, she served as a Navy assistant, who helped notify wives that their husbands had been killed in action, and then she helped them prepare to return to their hometown.

She married the love of her life Alen G. Wyss on April 1, 1943 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Ft. Wayne Indiana. Anne was a cherished mother to her three children David, J. Michael, and Patricia. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church most of her life and served in many leadership roles there, including in the Ladies Aid and the nursery. She also volunteered for over 20 years as an aid at Lutheran Hospital, taking the first photos of most of the newborn babies. She served as a poll worker in state and national elections. She was a dedicated Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader, teaching good citizenship and caring for those less fortunate, and she served as room mother for each of the children. She often took her scouts to hospitals and nursing homes to distribute gifts and cheer. She also worked long hours with the Ecoettes to ensure that all people were remembered, especially during the holidays. She also was known by her grandkids as the ultimate cookie maker.

Anne was much loved by her many friends and extended family members. She was known for her elegant style, happy nature and lively disposition; she was always smiling. She modeled acceptance and caring for people of different religions, races and sexual orientation. She was active in golfing, bowling leagues and bridge tournaments. She and Alen travelled extensively in Europe, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and went all over the US to visit grandchildren and great grandchildren. She and Alen attended every possible family athletic event, graduation, honors ceremony and wedding. They enjoyed many happy retirement years, spending winters in Ft. Myers Beach and later in St. Pete Beach, Florida.

Anne worked as an executive secretary at Lincoln Life Insurance and later at the Old Fort Supply Company.

She is survived by her grateful family, David Wyss (Grace) of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, J. Michael Wyss (Beth) of Birmingham, Alabama, and Patricia Wyss Fay (Rich) of Eugene, Oregon, 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Alen.

Visitation will be Friday November 11, 2016 at Hockemeyer-Miller Funeral Home from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. A service of thanksgiving will be held at Holy Cross Lutheran church at 1:00 pm, Saturday November 12, 2016, with calling one hour prior. Anne will be laid to rest next to Alen at Concordia Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Concordia Lutheran High School’s Our Creator’s Classroom (1601 St. Joe River Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46805), which she and Alen created or to the Feed the Lambs Ethiopian orphan program (Master Builder Center, 1925 Old Creek Trail, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216) or to a charity of your choice.

We especially thank all the loving staff and hospice nurses at Mount Royal Towers for their unfailing care of Anne.

Most of all, mom would ask you to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone in need in remembrance of her.