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Luthard was born in 1914 in Alexandria. His father also was a pastor.

He attended Augsburg College, graduating in 1936, and Augsburg Seminary, graduating in 1939.

He was ordained as a pastor in 1939, changing his name from Hanson to Luthard and taking his first call at a four-point parish in Fortuna, N.D. He performed the first church wedding in two of his four parishes at his first call in North Dakota.

Luthard served as an ordained pastor for 65 years, including calls in Clayton, Wis.; Thief River Falls, Minn.; Hoffman, Minn.; Paynesville, Minn.; and Williams, Iowa. Nordland Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran Church are located a mile apart in Irving Township.

He and his wife Thelma retired to Paynesville in 1979. He served as an interim and supply pastor for nine years after retirement.

Lynn and Thelma were married in North Dakota in May 1942 and celebrated 62 years of marriage. Thelma died in May 2004 at the age of 89. Lynn died four months later at the age of 90.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday night at the Johnson Funeral Home in Paynes-ville. His funeral will be held on Friday morning at 11 a.m. at Paynesville Lutheran Church. Luthard will be buried at Nordland Lutheran Church.

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