"Art was a good friend and I appreciated his advice, support and ideas during my political career. At that time Mr. Ds was a center of the community and I loved being there and mingling with his wonderful staff and loyal fans. Art was always a joy to see and visit with. May he rest in peace!"
In loving memory of
Arthur Erwin Lotz
October 13, 1947 - November 1, 2013
Arthur (Art) Erwin Lotz, 66 of Wabasha formerly of La Crosse, was called to his heavenly home on November 1, 2013. He died peacefully at home with his wife by his side, after a 6 1/2 year battle with cancer.
Art enjoyed his community and the outdoors; he was the man behind Mr. D's; owning and operating his restaurant and bakery in La Crosse for 30 years. Art served in the United States Navy for four years. He also served in his community in many different facets; he volunteered and worked for NASA, Wisconsin Chapter of Musky's Inc., Wisconsin Chapter Bass Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, La Crosse County Conservation Alliance, La Crosse Area Convention Bureau, and was the 1986 Riverfest Commodore. Art was a faithful member of Anchor Point Church and helped establish Living Waters Bible Camp in Westby Wisconsin; he enjoyed friend's fellowship and bible studies.
Art stayed active with several hobbies including scuba diving, hunting, fishing, bowling, golfing and boating on the river and sharing his love for the Lord.
He is survived by his wife Sheryl Lotz; his children Chad (Becky) Lotz, Dawn (Doug) Wilson and their mother, Barbara Schmidt, the late Todd (Yvonne) Braun, Wendy (Jerry) Norman, Kimberly Braun, & Meridee (Bryan) Brown, and 11 grandchildren, Madelynn & Jessica Wilson, Taylor Lotz, Jeffrey, Benjamin, Nathan, Michael Braun, Zoe & Emma Norman, Alex & Makayla Brown; sister Ruth (Theodore) Habel, three brothers, Robert (Elizabeth) Lotz, Dennis (Julie) Lotz, and Rick (Jane) Lotz.
Arthur was preceded in death by his parents Erwin and Belva Lotz; and a son, Todd Braun.
Memorials will be donated to building fund of Anchor Point Church.
Memorial Service will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at Pleasant Valley Church (1363 Homer Road, Winona) with the Reverend Paul Langmade of Anchor Point Church in Wabasha officiating. Visitation will be 4 - 8 p.m., Tuesday at Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Goodview and one hour prior to the service at church. Please share a memory of Arthur, sign his online guestbook and view his video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: http://videos.lifetributes.com/438891
Tributes
"Faith is our comfort as we grieve. May your faith in Christ's promises bring you peace at this very sad time in your life. Art taught me a great lesson in life. In that he always kept the joy that was in his heart, even as he passed through the darkest valley of his life."
"I was very sad to hear of Art's passing. I have so many wonderful memories of working at Mr. D's and of great adventures with the Lotz family. You all are very important people in my life story. I wish you God's peace in this time of sadness. You are in my thoughts and prayers."
"I am very sorry to hear of Art's passing. He was a good man, and will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are will the entire family."
"I wish to express my sincere sympathy to Art's entire family. I graduated from high school with Art and also knew him well from Mr. D's....he was a great person. I'm thinking of all of you at this sad time."
"Wow where do I start, Art taught me so much. Mr.D's was part of my family for many years. Lot of good times had. still haven't found any place to match the donuts or food.Thank You Art for all the knowledge you shared with me. Nice to know you are finally at rest. You will be missed."
"Ruth,Rick, Sorry to hear of Art's passing. Rod & I were planning on coming to the visitation but it didn't work out. You are in my prayers at this time. Art was having treatments at the same time Walter did so we saw him a couple of times. God be with you and your families."
"I was sorry to read that Art had passed away. He was a great guy. We had some scuba diving classes together and went on diving trips to Cozumel and Lake Superior a few years back. Great memories. I have a picture of Art on the dive boat looking out to sea in Cozumel. I will try to find it and get you a copy. Sorry for your loss"
"Sorry to hear about Art. I remember when he worked at the root beer stand with my brother Paul. Also have good memories of going to Mr. D'S late at night for the fresh doughnuts being made for the morning."
"My sincerest sympathy in Art's passing. Art and his family were very important in my life and without them, I do not know what would have happened to me. They took me under their wing and gave me opportunities that I would never had that were so postive and caring. Art's friendship, advice, and sharing of God's faith has been and will continue to be cherished. God bless his memory."
"Art will be missed . Art and I grew up together . I have memories of the fun we had in Coon Valley/Westby area. Mary and I were also frequent diners at Mr. Dee's. My deepest sympathy to Art's family."
"I have known Art since 1982, from the little Citgo gas station on South Ave. He was always smiling and he made my day! I will always think of him with a smile on my face. Thank you Art for being my friend. you will be missed. I am sorry for your loss, but he is out of pain and in God's loving arms. R.I.P. Art see you when it is my time. A wonderful man and the best donuts in La Crosse."
"Great guy.!!!..Classmate and Friend...My most sincere sympathy to the family. I know he will be missed."
"Sheryl and Family. May you all find comfort in knowing Art is in his Heavenly home. May God fill you all with Hope for the future to carry on in this life until God will bring you all together again. Revelations 21.4 In God's peace. Carry on."
"This man built me the greatest deer stand from scratch and by hand. I will miss Art greatly and never look at nature and not think of my friend Art Lotz. Rest well my friend. Rest well."
"Very sorry to read about Art's passing. Art got me involved in Rotary Lights in La Crosse years ago and I enjoyed working on other projects for him. He was also my wife's first landlord more years ago. He was a wonderful person and will be truly missed."
"Art gave me my first job as a clean up guy in the bakery and taught me many skills later as a fry cook t Mr. D's. I enjoyed working along side Art, Barb, Chad and Dawn there. Art was a good guy and good businessman. Some of my best stories still come from those days. Some of the best teamwork I was ever a part of was making breakfasts on Sunday mornings alongside Art and John Mills during the post church rush. Happy to hear he is finally at peace."
"Art and Sheryl you were such an asset to our downtown! I loved Mr. D's it was my lunch and break stop, everyone was welcomed with your warm smiles. Jim enjoyed your hunting and fishing stories. You will be missed, but we will see you on the golden shore. You are leaving great foot prints in our shorelines."
"Sorry for your loss. We both graduated from Westby High School. Loved to stop at Mr. D's for the great food and talking with him."
"Sherry I am so sorry to hear of Art's passing. Loved Mr D's and working there!"
"I will always remember Art. It was so great to see his smile whenever going into Mr. D's restaurant. He was always so upbeat and happy. God Bless Your Soul Art, see you in Heaven some day!!! No more pain, Alleluia!!"
"Remembering the fun we had with all the hockey times. You will be missed."