Bertha “Tiny” Linsenmeyer Lutfy

Our beloved Tiny was born on November 27, 1917 to German immigrant parents, Ernest and Ottilia Linsenmeyer.  She was one of eight children and was nicknamed “Tiny” early on, being the smallest in stature of her seven siblings.

A graduate of Saint Mary’s High School, Tiny was also a fine musician.  She played the giant pipe organ at Saint Mary’s Basilica for church functions as a teenager.

Tiny followed in her successful parents’ footsteps by being involved in real estate developments and investments.  She loved Mexico, where she bought property and invested in the Mexican Stock Market. Tiny built the first K-Mart store in Phoenix and was the owner of the first Circle K convenience store ever built.

Early on, she was an avid hunter and later became a skilled competitive shotgun shooter.  Tiny went on to set world championship records in the U.S., Europe, and Mexico, winning many trophies and awards.

She was a past member of the Arizona Mexico Commission, National Rifle Association, Phoenix Trap and Skeet Club and other European shooting associations and was a long time member of the Phoenix Country Club.

Tiny was an artist and liked to dabble in oil painting.  Using her artistic nature, she decorated her beautiful home and turned it into a showplace.

She was a 50-year breast cancer survivor and the surgery involved didn’t stop her shooting – she didn’t give it a second thought.  Tiny had such a zest for life that “no matter how bad things would get, they could always be worse”.

Tiny was an elegant, beautiful lady loved by all.  She was a private person, a true survivor with formidable abilities, energy and enthusiasm that she wisely used to “do it her way”.  Her strength, wisdom, guidance and kindness will be missed by her family and all those who came to know her.  She was truly an icon and the end of an era.  There will never be another like her.  O, God, how we will miss her.

Tiny is survived by her three children, Dr. Philip Lutfy, Nan Lutfy Pflumm and Eric Lutfy, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Thanks to Hospice of the Valley for their care and kind attention and special thanks to her faithful caregiver, Roldan Veloz.

Services, to include visitation will be at 9:00am and Mass at 9:30am, will be at the Brophy Chapel, 4701 North Central on Saturday, November 16, 2013.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to The Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014 or The Catholic Community Foundation, 400 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004