Grant (Geert) Luttmer

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Grant (Geert) Luttmer was born June 25, 1938 in Groningen, the Netherlands to Johan Herman Frederik Luttmer and Roelfje Stoffers Luttmer. He passed away October 31, 2024. He immigrated to the United States in March of 1950. The family arrived in Idaho; then he later settled in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Of course, Dad passed on Halloween, so we would remember the date. He, himself, got engaged on Valentine’s Day, and married on his birthday, so he would not forget either one. Such a teaser! He delighted in teasing his nieces, nephews and grandkids and got a kick when they teased him back.

In 1956, he enlisted in the military. He fspent his tour in Korea as a military policeman and was honorably discharged in 1959. Grant married Margaret Smit at the Cathedral of the Madeleine on June 25th 1960. Together, they had six children, raising them in Summit Park and Salt Lake City. After their children were raised, Grant and Margaret split their time between

Heber, Utah and Grants Pass, Oregon.

After the military, Grant began working in construction, running heavy equipment, and delivering sand and gravel. Later he built swimming pools, framed homes and eventually started his own construction business. Initially he worked for other general contractors and real-estate investors, later building up enough money to speculate on his own projects. These projects included building 4,000 to 12,000 square foot homes on Salt Lake’s East bench and in the Park City area. He hired several family members to help him throughout the decades. Lydia Luttmer survived many years as his bookkeeper as well as her brother Brian Luttmer with cousin Steven Scholte and brother Andy Scholte on the construction sites. Andy and Grant worked together for over 30 years. Not only was Andy a long time associate, but also a great friend. 

Grant built the Eating Establishment restaurant on Main Street in Park City in 1972. He later owned and operated the restaurant with Don Jordan and his brother-in-law Francis Smit (Smitty), acting as chef/manager. A few years later, they expanded their business to include a restaurant on Jackson T own Square in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 

When interstate I-80 in Parleys Canyon was expanded in the 1970’s, the original gas station and lounge at the summit were removed. Grant built the current gas station and restaurant in Summit Park, for his friend Warren Child. In the 1980s, he bought the businesses and returned them back to a service, fuel and convenience store with a refurbished restaurant.

Margaret managed the eatery, Parleys Grill, for a few years. He had also purchased a farm next to his brother Gerard’s, outside of Wendel, Idaho, and grew potatoes, beans, and hay.

Grant loved taking his children camping and would spend plenty of nights working on his motor home in the springtime preparing it for trips. The family spent countless weekends in the Uinta mountains, Southern Utah and Idaho. Together, they visited Canada, bringing along his sister Geetje and her husband from the Netherlands, when they visited the States. Later,

he and Andy bought a boat, spending many summers water skiing with the kids. Frequently, to beat the weekend crowds, they would all go water skiing mid-week after only a half day of work, which is surprising if you knew Grant as he always was pushing to get work finished. Also, this is especially astonishing when you consider the fact he couldn’t swim!

Grant and Margaret traveled extensively, taking many trips back to the Netherlands with their children, their spouses and grandchildren. They visited Australia, seeing Margaret’s brother Wessel; as well as Russia, China and a number of other countries of Europe. They journeyed through other parts of the US, including Alaska and Hawaii. They especially loved spending time on their property in Escalante, Utah. Grant will be missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his son, Grant (Heather), their children, Nathaniel and Amelia; daughter, Camille, her children, John and Harrison Fauth; daughter, Collette (Steven Rotter), and their son Isaac; daughter Karena, and estranged daughter, Kristie (Dean Shilaos), and their sons, Yanni and Vassili; and his surviving sisters frederika and Jean. He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Monica and wife, Margaret and siblings,

Jantje, Jacob, Johan, Jantiene, Jan, Roelof, Geertje, Jacoba, Anna Marie, Roelina, Wilhelmina and Gerard.

The family would also like to thank his primary care giver, Elizabeth Aguilar for providing excellent care to Grant, especially after the loss of his wife Margaret. In lieu of flowers, please donate to no more homeless pets.

Keep Smiling!