August H. Luthens

August (“Augie”) H. Luthens, age 91, died peacefully in West Des Moines on April 12, 2024. Augie was born on February 25, 1933, in Clear Lake, Minnesota to Ida Ruhnke Luthens and August Karl Luthens. He was baptized at the Acoma Lutheran Church and confirmed in the Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota. Augie was the only son (and youngest) among five children. Augie’s mother died when he was two years old; his sisters: Viola, Elva, Evelyn and Loretta (Patsy), became his surrogate mothers. Augie was active in athletics at Hutchinson High School where he also served as student body president, eventually graduating in 1951.

In the fall of 1951, Augie enrolled a Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa after receiving a football scholarship; he played on its varsity squad as a tight end / wide receiver. Augie was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at Drake and greatly enjoyed the camaraderie (and beer) it provided along with the opportunity to meet the love of his life, Suzanne (“Sue”) Olls. Augie graduated from Drake in 1955 with a BS in Education and married Sue later that year.

After graduating from Drake, Augie taught industrial arts at Des Moines Technical High. Augie and Sue soon thereafter began their family, eventually having five children: Kurt, Matthew, Sarah, Erik and Tom. After teaching school, Augie worked as a claims adjuster for various insurance carriers. In his spare time, he refereed high school football and basketball throughout Northwest and Central Iowa for over fifteen years.

While Augie was working full time for Continental Western Insurance Company as a claims adjuster (while Sue was home raising their four young children), he enrolled in Drake Law School as a part-time student, eventually receiving his Juris Doctorate in 1969.

Augie eventually went on to work for Preferred Risk Insurance Company in West Des Moines, Iowa (now known as GuideOne Insurance), where he became National Claim Manager, Director of Underwriting and Product Development as well as in-house counsel during his fifteen years there. He also was a part-time instructor at Drake Law School.

In 1981, Augie went into private law practice, initially with an office in Colfax, Iowa. In 1991, son Erik joined him in the practice at which time they formed Luthens Law Offices, P.C. and opened a second office in West Des Moines. Augie and Erik practiced law together for over twenty-eight years. Over the years, Augie participated in Sunday evening radio broadcasts on WHO with his friend Jack Whitsell, providing legal advice on various employment law related matters. In his later years, Augie confined his legal practice to tax, real estate and estate planning, retiring at age 89.

Augie was the self appointed and dedicated family genealogist for the Luthens, Schroeder, Ruhnke, Schmandt and Olls families. He was an avid reader, gardener, poker player and equities investor.

Augie and Sue traveled all around the world until Sue developed cancer, eventually passing away in 2000. Augie subsequently married high school friend Kathleen McIntire in 2004; Kathleen passed away in 2022.

Augie is survived by his children: Kurt (Namthip) Luthens of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; Sarah (Heather Gingerich) Luthens of Seattle, Washington; Erik (Penny) Luthens of West Des Moines, Iowa; four grandchildren: Elaine (Alex Miller) Miller-Luthens of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Armond (Alyssa Shea) Luthens of Arvada, Colorado; Alenah Luthens of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Viola Joy Luthens Gingerich of Seattle, Washington. Augie is preceded in death by wife Suzanne; sons Matthew (in infancy) and Tom; his parents; sisters: Viola Stratton, Elva Mishek, Evelyn Prochnow and Loretta (Patsy) Dameier; and wife Kathleen.

Augie was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church (United Church of Christ) in Des Moines, and an active biblical interpretation student. Augie was constantly searching for the truth as he was acutely cognizant that he did not have all of the answers.

The family is greatly appreciative of the care Augie received at Cedar Ridge Village care facility in West Des Moines over the past few months and especially his nurse (Ty) who provided him special care and attention.

The family requests no flowers. Augie requests that any memorials be given to Plymouth Congregational Church. Also per Augie’s request, no funeral services are planned. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.