Luetta "Lu" (Paynter) Flaa

NEW BERLIN, Wis. - Luetta "Lu" (nee Paynter) Flaa, age 84, went to be with her Lord on Dec. 10, 2024. She was surrounded by her family at Linden Grove Assisted Living in New Berlin.

Luetta was born to the late Walter and Vivian (Kelto) Paynter on Oct. 7, 1940, in Bessemer, Michigan, where she grew up.

After she graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer in 1959, she went on to work for Metropolitan Life. On June 18, 1960, she married Kenneth "Bob" Flaa, who also resided in Bessemer, and together they raised a family of five children.

Bob and Luetta moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin, after they were married. When Bob was called up for a tour of service in the Army National Guard, they moved to Tacoma, Washington. Once the tour of duty was completed, they returned to Kenosha.

Luetta was a stay-at-home mom for many years. Once the kids were older, she worked as an office manager for a physician. After Bob retired, they moved back to the U.P., where they very much enjoyed many of their golden years in "Yooper" territory. In 2022, Bob and Luetta moved to the greater Milwaukee area to be closer to their children.

Over her lifetime, Luetta was active in her church in Bible studies, women's groups, choir and hospitality committees. She also enjoyed quilting, painting, gardening, crafting of all kinds (especially when her grandchildren visited), baking and swimming. She often was seen swimming in the lake days after the ice melted and until just before the snow started falling. She was a proud grandma and great-grandma to 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Luetta is survived by her children, Luanne DeWitt, Kevin (Kristine), Paul (Lori), Mark (Julie) and Mike (Julie); her grandchildren, Valerie (Dan), Michelle (Aaron), Joshua (Alexandra), Katie (Jonathan), Kenny (Brooke), Kaitlyn, Megan, Keith (Brittani), Krista, Tyler and Derek; 13 great grandchildren; her sister, Ruth (Dave) Ruff; sisters-in-law, Kathy Paynter and Sue Paynter; her brother-in-law, Fred Lintelmann; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Luetta was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three brothers, Dave Paynter, Jim Paynter and Ron Paynter; her brother-in-law, Del Flaa; her sister-in-law, Kathy Flaa; her son-in-law, Daniel DeWitt; and her grandson, Kyle Flaa.

The family would like to thank the staff at Linden Grove New Berlin and Horizon Hospice for their wonderful care.

Luetta will be remembered at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 13445 Hampton Road, Brookfield, WI 53005 on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 2 p.m.

Memorials may be made in memory of Luetta to Immanuel Lutheran Church (address above) or Lutheran Indian Ministries 15350 W. Capitol Drive, Brookfield, WI 53005.