Lucy’s life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Pastor David Nissen will officiate. Visitation will be held prior to the service at the church from 9 to 11 a.m. Burial will occur in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Amboy at a later date.

Lucy was born on Oct. 14, 1925, to Wilhelm and Frieda (Schwartz) Wiederhoeft and raised on the family farm in Pleasant Mound Township, Blue Earth County. She graduated from Amboy High School in 1943 and, after moving to Mankato to start her career, was united in marriage to Darell Frederick Apitz, shortly after his return from service in WWII, on Dec. 28, 1947.

Lucy and Darell were life-long companions who were seldom apart over the 68 years they shared together. They found strength in their faith and in their commitment to one another. They were blessed with three children, but lost their eldest, James, at childbirth. They lovingly raised their other sons, John and Robert, while pursuing vocations in Mankato. Lucy worked for more than 30 years as a quality control technician at the Hubbard Milling Company while Darell taught geography at Mankato State College/University. Upon retiring, they often took to the road traveling and camping across Minnesota, as well as much of the southern and eastern United States. After residing in Mankato for nearly 60 years, they moved to New Ulm in 2005 where they spent the remainder of their lives.

Lucy was an amazingly nurturing person. Flowers, animals and people all blossomed in her presence. There was a goodness about her that warmed many, many hearts. She rarely judged and generously shared her time and talents with others and those less fortunate. Her home was always open to the neighborhood kids. She readily volunteered in a variety of ways. Lucy taught Sunday School for many years and was an active member of her church. She was a long time blood donor. When Mankato floods forced those in need from their homes, Lucy and Darell took them in. She regularly spent time with ailing friends and family, as well as provided companionship through mentoring programs sponsored by Lutheran Social Services and Blue Earth Co. Human Services. Additionally, she volunteered extensively at an adult day care center in Mankato, as well as with VINE Faith in Action. Together, she and her husband delivered meals to the homebound and frequently gave rides to others so they could make it to church every Sunday, get to appointments, go grocery shopping, and the like. They supported many causes and enduringly believed in and practiced social justice.

Lucy also spent countless hours over a dozen years in libraries, at grave-sites and in church basements investigating and thoroughly chronicling her family genealogy. She tended to hundreds of plants and flowers over the years that simply seemed to bloom with her touch. Lucy was well known as a bird enthusiast, feeding and attracting countless species while always being excited to tell others about them. In her late fifties when a local softball team needed an extra player, Lucy stepped up and participated for nearly a decade. Lucy was a wonderful listener throughout her lifetime and truly enjoyed visiting with friends, neighbors, and relatives of all ages. She was always very grateful for what others did for her. But, what she loved most was the time she spent with her family. Without a doubt, she had a heart of gold and will be dearly missed.

Lucy is survived by her sons, John (Mary Magnuson) Apitz of Mendota Heights, Robert (MarySue Hagen) Apitz of New Ulm; grandsons, Nicholas and Zachary Apitz of Mendota Heights; step-grandchildren, Melissa (Tom) Sunderman of New Ulm, Megan (Craig) Schwarz of LeSueur, Reid (Kimberly) Roebbeke of Hudson, Wisconsin; seven step great-grandchildren; and brothers, Kermit Wiederhoeft and Orin Wiederhoeft; as well as many special nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Darell Apitz; her infant son, James; sisters, Anita (Aaron) Pearce, Irene (Herman) Block, Lasca (Elfred) Flitter, and brothers; Albert (Catherine), Kasper, William, Burton, and Leo (Enid), as well as sister in-laws; Dolores Wiederhoeft, Dorothy Wiederhoeft and Miriam Apitz.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, New Ulm Medical Center Foundation, Audubon Minnesota, or donor’s choice. To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org.

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