Jutta McNussen (Magnussen), 76

Jutta was born July 26, 1940, in Kiel, Germany. Jutta’s mother wanted to name her Ruth, however, under Hitler’s regime, biblical first names were not allowed. So she was named Jutta Ruth Gottwald. Jutta spent her first five years growing up in a bunker. When the war was over, they found their house had been bombed. Jutta attended school and two years of college where she learned English.

Jutta watched American movies, saw all the open space and when she was 18, she talked her mother into coming to America. The quota was full, so they were given consent to go to Canada. Jutta found a job with “Continental Can In A Box Factory.” She was paid $12 per hour, which in 1958 was very good wages. Later the family purchased a home in Toronto. When Jutta turned 21 she was offered a job in San Francisco. From there, Jutta and a girlfriend moved to Seattle and Jutta was offered a job at the Cascadian Hotel in Wenatchee, Wash.

Jutta wanted to learn to ski, which is how she met Hugh Magnussen. They were married on April 19, 1968. They both received their Real Estate License in Wenatchee that winter. After a few years, Hugh was offered a job in Anchorage, Alaska, where they lived for 20 very happy years. During 1988 and 1989, they toured the lower 48 states in a 36-foot motor home. They settled down in Gig Harbor, Wash., for 15 years. In 1998, they purchased a lake house in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. When they retired, in 2005, they moved to Coeur d’Alene, and purchased their home.

Jutta and Hugh have done extensive traveling; they worked hard and played hard. They were pilots, commercial fisherman and sportsman.

Jutta wanted to take their motor home to Arizona for the winter as they had done over the past 15 years, but God had different plans and called her home early on Jan. 27, 2017.

Jutta’s parents preceded her in death along with her son, Bradley. Jutta leaves her husband, Hugh, of 49 years in Coeur d’Alene; a daughter in North Carolina; niece in Pasco, Wash.; and a niece and two nephews in Arizona.

A memorial service, celebrating Jutta’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, at the Lutheran Church of the Master, 4800 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d’Alene. Pastor Bob Albing will be officiating. Jutta will be laid to rest later this year in Pleasantview Cemetery in St. Ignatius, Mont.

Foster Funeral Home in St. Ignatius is assisting the family. Condolences may be left at www.fosterfhandcrematory.com.