NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Br. Edward Luther, C.S.C., 97, died at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Indiana, on Saturday, January 18, 2025, after a short illness.
Br. Edward was born April 29, 1927, in Plain, Wisconsin, to Lawrence and Clara (Laubmeier) Luther and is one of nine children. After graduating from Leach Creek School in Baraboo, Wisconsin, he worked on the family farm until entering the Brother’s Postulancy at Sacred Heart College in Watertown, Wisconsin, in 1945. After attending St. Joseph Novitiate in Rolling Prairie, and pronouncing First Vows on October 21, 1946, and Final Vows on October 21, 1949, Brother Edward began a long and noted career in service to the community as a nourisher of the body.
From 1946-1950, Br. Edward was the cook at Sacred Heart Novitiate in South Bend, Indiana. From 1950-1957, he cooked at Moreau Seminary in Notre Dame, Indiana, before he was assigned to the Novitiate in Jordan, Minnesota, as a cook for the next two years. From 1959-1964, he returned to Moreau Seminary, this time as head cook, where he took on extra responsibilities supervising the kitchens at St. Joseph Hall and Holy Cross House. For the next two years, Br. Edward served as a cook at the Foreign Mission Seminary in Washington, D.C. From 1966-1978, Br. Edward was assigned as Food Service Manager for several houses of the Holy Cross community at the University of Notre Dame. In 1971, he was assigned as Director of the Brothers Program, a position he held for the next seven years. From 1978-1986, he was assigned as rector for Morrissey Hall at the University of Notre Dame, before being assigned as rector of Fisher Hall from 1986-1999. From 1999-2017, he resided at Corby Hall while assisting at Old College, an undergraduate seminary program at the University of Notre Dame, before residing at Holy Cross House in Notre Dame, Indiana, beginning in 2017.
Preceding Br. Edward in death are his parents, brothers; Alfred and Harold Luther, and sister Mary Weitzel. He is survived by his four sisters; Carol Luther, Viola Trzeciak, Helene John, and Irene Rudersdors and his brother Roy Luther. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.
A Wake Service will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, Indiana. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. ET at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, Ind. You may join via live stream at https://funerals.holycrossusa.org.
Burial will be in the community cemetery at Notre Dame. Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0765 or online at https://donate.holycrossusa.org.
