Elaine (Buss) Loutzenheiser

Elaine Buss Loutzenheiser, age 92, of Black Mountain, NC passed away on August 20, 2025 in Black Mountain, NC.  Elaine was born in Vero Beach, FL on February 15, 1933 to the late Stanley V. Buss and Theresa P. Buss.

Elaine is preceded in death by her husband, Joe L. Loutzenheiser and her sister, Bethany A. Buss.  She is survived by her children, Elizabeth L. Koller (Dan Bridges), of Black Mountain, NC and Lori B. DeWitt (Bert DeWitt), of Yucaipa, CA; her grandchildren, Jessica L. Marino (Michael Marino), of Fairview, NC and Teresa VanAusdelyn, of Costa Mesa, CA; and her great-grandchildren, Addyson Marino, of Asheville, NC and Paige Marino, of Fairview, NC.

Elaine graduated from Vero Beach High School in 1951.  She attended Mars Hill University for 2 years and graduated from the University of Florida with her bachelor’s degree in teaching in 1956.  She then received her Mast of Arts in Education degree from Western North Carolina University in 1978.

Elaine was employed as a teacher in the Broward school system for 25 years.  She also worked for 14 years in an adult education program in Buncombe county, and in the A.B. Tech GED program.  She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and of the International Honorary Women Educators Society.

Elaine was active in the First Baptist Church of Asheville since moving to the area in 1988.  She was a community activist and served on Town of Black Mountain Planning Board for many years.  She raised her granddaughter, Jessica, after moving here.  She enjoyed spending time with her great-granddaughters.

Elaine’s relationship with her Lord was the power behind her life.  This gave her strength to keep the faith with her children and granddaughter and great-granddaughters.  Following a long, debilitating lung disease, she is finally at peace and will be sorely missed by both good friends and family.  She loved the mountains of Western North Carolina and since she spent many summers here, she moved permanently when she retired.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 23rd at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Asheville, NC with Pastors Leah Brown and Mack Dennis officiating.  The service will be followed with refreshments.

Donations may be made to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA, or First Baptist Church in Scott and Megan Hughes name for life-long learning.

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