Lynn Clutter 1956-2023
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LYNN BERNSDORF CLUTTER
April 10, 1956 – September 19, 2023
Lynn Ann (Bernsdorf) Clutter was born on April 10, 1956, in Columbus, Ohio, to Richard and Nancy Bernsdorf. She was released into her Savior’s arms on September 19, 2023, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Lynn’s childhood in the Columbus suburb of Upper Arlington was filled with cherished memories with her family, graduating from Upper Arlington High School in 1974.
Lynn was captivated by the accordion after seeing an accomplished accordionist who had toured with Bob Hope during World War II, entertaining the troops at USO shows. While in elementary school, Lynn was able to take lessons from the accordionist she saw, becoming quite accomplished herself. In college Lynn played her accordion as part of the Sunday evening Vespers team, also performing on their album of live music. Her accordion was a welcome addition to her church’s worship team and other smaller gatherings. She also wrote numerous songs. One time when her pastor challenged anyone in the congregation to memorize Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, she set it to music and memory. Decades later Lynn again performed the entire Psalm for the church, fully from memory.
During her teenage years, Lynn developed a love for horsemanship when her parents bought her a Morgan horse, and she dedicated herself to training in saddle seat riding. She won numerous competitions, culminating in the 1st place grand prize at the Ohio State Fair when she was in 11th grade.
In December 1972, at age 16, Lynn made the most important decision of her life when she placed her faith in Jesus as her Savior and Lord. After graduating from high school, Lynn wanted to attend a Christian college, and her parents supported her as long as she learned a marketable skill. During a visit to Oral Roberts University (ORU) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lynn discovered their newly establishing Nursing program. The decision to attend ORU shaped the trajectory of Lynn’s life. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) as part of the second undergraduate Nursing class at ORU.
Lynn’s early nursing career began with night shifts in the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Room at two large Tulsa hospitals. She later transitioned to pediatric nursing, working as a clinical and inpatient nurse for a prominent pediatric practice. Lynn took on education roles, providing guidance to clinic patients and parents and developing written materials. Her passion for education led her to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at ORU, where she had a dual focus on Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nursing Education. Lynn graduated from ORU's first Nursing Master's class in 1984.
After receiving her MSN, Lynn was given opportunity to be involved in new pediatric pain research, and she played a significant role in the development of the world-renowned FACES® Pain Rating Scale. Lynn served as a founding member and Vice President of the Wong-Baker FACES® Foundation.
The second major decision of Lynn's life came when she said "yes" to her future husband, Bruce Clutter. Lynn and Bruce met during freshman year at ORU and remained close friends through college. After graduating, their friendship blossomed into a deep and lasting love. They were married on July 14, 1979, by pastor Bill Sanders in Christ's Chapel at ORU. Lynn and Bruce remained committed members of Tulsa Christian Fellowship for over 45 years, where they established lifelong relationships and held significant leadership roles. Lynn's dedication to her faith extended to mentoring pre-teen and teen girls as she led the Jr. High group for many years. She was blessed to do short-term mission work, at times as a nurse, in Guatemala, Japan, China, Albania, and Kosovo.
Motherhood became the most significant role in Lynn’s life as she and Bruce welcomed their first child, Daniel, in 1986, followed by Joshua two years later. After seven years, they adopted Anna, Caleb, and Lydia, completing their family. Lynn's focus and involvement revolved around raising her children. She loved family camping and travel, always finding ways to enrich her family’s life.
As the children aged, Lynn continued her nursing career, often taking on part-time or volunteer work. She developed a passion for college-level Nursing Education and served as an adjunct instructor at several nursing schools in the Tulsa area, including ORU, TCC, and TU. Lynn's first full-time position in Nursing Education was at Langston University's Tulsa campus, where she dedicated 7 ½ years. During her tenure, Lynn pursued further education and earned a PhD in Nursing Science from Indiana University in 2009. In 2012, she accepted a position at the University of Tulsa School of Nursing, where she taught for 7 years until retirement.
Lynn's nursing accomplishments and honors were numerous. She played a founding role in establishing Sigma Theta Tau (The Honor Society of Nursing) chapters at ORU and Langston University. In 2014, Lynn was selected as part of the inaugural group of honorees for the Oklahoma Great 100 Nurses Foundation. Lynn's favorite aspect of teaching nursing was working directly with students, impacting their lives at a crucial point in their journey. Her relationships with students extended beyond the academic and clinical aspects, leaving a lasting impression on their nursing careers. For years when she found herself in various hospitals around town, whether visiting others, or as a patient, Bruce observed nurse after nurse encounter her and tell her how important she was during their time in nursing school. During her teaching career, Lynn also worked part-time at St. Francis Hospital, where she helped new mothers and their babies as a Certified Lactation Consultant, retiring in 2022.
Throughout her life, Lynn deeply loved her husband Bruce, their children, and their spouses. In her final years, she found immense joy in her four grandchildren in Tulsa and one in Tucson. Lynn is survived by her husband Bruce, her brother Mark (Crystal) Bernsdorf, her children Daniel (Lauren) Clutter, Joshua (Christy) Clutter, Anna Clutter, Caleb Clutter, Lydia Clutter, five grandchildren, numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and other loved ones. She is predeceased by her father, Richard Bernsdorf. Her mother, Nancy, died four days after Lynn passed into eternity.
Upon learning of her cancer diagnosis, Lynn and Bruce desired to have a lasting impact on the lives of nursing students. In honor of Lynn's nursing educational journey at ORU, and the university's vision for raising up nursing students to follow God in their careers, Lynn and Bruce established a permanent endowed scholarship at ORU - "The Dr. Lynn Bernsdorf Clutter Nursing Student Scholarship." In memory of Lynn, tax-deductible donations to the scholarship fund may be made directly to ORU. Donations by check should include "Clutter Scholarship" in the memo line and can be mailed to Oral Roberts University, 7777 S. Lewis Ave., Tulsa, OK 74171.
Lynn lived a full, rich, blessed life. The most important things to remember about Lynn are her deep faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for 51 years, her unwavering love for her family, and the impact her bright life had on so many whose lives she touched.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
April 10, 1956 – September 19, 2023
Lynn Ann (Bernsdorf) Clutter was born on April 10, 1956, in Columbus, Ohio, to Richard and Nancy Bernsdorf. She was released into her Savior’s arms on September 19, 2023, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Lynn’s childhood in the Columbus suburb of Upper Arlington was filled with cherished memories with her family, graduating from Upper Arlington High School in 1974.
Lynn was captivated by the accordion after seeing an accomplished accordionist who had toured with Bob Hope during World War II, entertaining the troops at USO shows. While in elementary school, Lynn was able to take lessons from the accordionist she saw, becoming quite accomplished herself. In college Lynn played her accordion as part of the Sunday evening Vespers team, also performing on their album of live music. Her accordion was a welcome addition to her church’s worship team and other smaller gatherings. She also wrote numerous songs. One time when her pastor challenged anyone in the congregation to memorize Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, she set it to music and memory. Decades later Lynn again performed the entire Psalm for the church, fully from memory.
During her teenage years, Lynn developed a love for horsemanship when her parents bought her a Morgan horse, and she dedicated herself to training in saddle seat riding. She won numerous competitions, culminating in the 1st place grand prize at the Ohio State Fair when she was in 11th grade.
In December 1972, at age 16, Lynn made the most important decision of her life when she placed her faith in Jesus as her Savior and Lord. After graduating from high school, Lynn wanted to attend a Christian college, and her parents supported her as long as she learned a marketable skill. During a visit to Oral Roberts University (ORU) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lynn discovered their newly establishing Nursing program. The decision to attend ORU shaped the trajectory of Lynn’s life. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) as part of the second undergraduate Nursing class at ORU.
Lynn’s early nursing career began with night shifts in the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Room at two large Tulsa hospitals. She later transitioned to pediatric nursing, working as a clinical and inpatient nurse for a prominent pediatric practice. Lynn took on education roles, providing guidance to clinic patients and parents and developing written materials. Her passion for education led her to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at ORU, where she had a dual focus on Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nursing Education. Lynn graduated from ORU's first Nursing Master's class in 1984.
After receiving her MSN, Lynn was given opportunity to be involved in new pediatric pain research, and she played a significant role in the development of the world-renowned FACES® Pain Rating Scale. Lynn served as a founding member and Vice President of the Wong-Baker FACES® Foundation.
The second major decision of Lynn's life came when she said "yes" to her future husband, Bruce Clutter. Lynn and Bruce met during freshman year at ORU and remained close friends through college. After graduating, their friendship blossomed into a deep and lasting love. They were married on July 14, 1979, by pastor Bill Sanders in Christ's Chapel at ORU. Lynn and Bruce remained committed members of Tulsa Christian Fellowship for over 45 years, where they established lifelong relationships and held significant leadership roles. Lynn's dedication to her faith extended to mentoring pre-teen and teen girls as she led the Jr. High group for many years. She was blessed to do short-term mission work, at times as a nurse, in Guatemala, Japan, China, Albania, and Kosovo.
Motherhood became the most significant role in Lynn’s life as she and Bruce welcomed their first child, Daniel, in 1986, followed by Joshua two years later. After seven years, they adopted Anna, Caleb, and Lydia, completing their family. Lynn's focus and involvement revolved around raising her children. She loved family camping and travel, always finding ways to enrich her family’s life.
As the children aged, Lynn continued her nursing career, often taking on part-time or volunteer work. She developed a passion for college-level Nursing Education and served as an adjunct instructor at several nursing schools in the Tulsa area, including ORU, TCC, and TU. Lynn's first full-time position in Nursing Education was at Langston University's Tulsa campus, where she dedicated 7 ½ years. During her tenure, Lynn pursued further education and earned a PhD in Nursing Science from Indiana University in 2009. In 2012, she accepted a position at the University of Tulsa School of Nursing, where she taught for 7 years until retirement.
Lynn's nursing accomplishments and honors were numerous. She played a founding role in establishing Sigma Theta Tau (The Honor Society of Nursing) chapters at ORU and Langston University. In 2014, Lynn was selected as part of the inaugural group of honorees for the Oklahoma Great 100 Nurses Foundation. Lynn's favorite aspect of teaching nursing was working directly with students, impacting their lives at a crucial point in their journey. Her relationships with students extended beyond the academic and clinical aspects, leaving a lasting impression on their nursing careers. For years when she found herself in various hospitals around town, whether visiting others, or as a patient, Bruce observed nurse after nurse encounter her and tell her how important she was during their time in nursing school. During her teaching career, Lynn also worked part-time at St. Francis Hospital, where she helped new mothers and their babies as a Certified Lactation Consultant, retiring in 2022.
Throughout her life, Lynn deeply loved her husband Bruce, their children, and their spouses. In her final years, she found immense joy in her four grandchildren in Tulsa and one in Tucson. Lynn is survived by her husband Bruce, her brother Mark (Crystal) Bernsdorf, her children Daniel (Lauren) Clutter, Joshua (Christy) Clutter, Anna Clutter, Caleb Clutter, Lydia Clutter, five grandchildren, numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and other loved ones. She is predeceased by her father, Richard Bernsdorf. Her mother, Nancy, died four days after Lynn passed into eternity.
Upon learning of her cancer diagnosis, Lynn and Bruce desired to have a lasting impact on the lives of nursing students. In honor of Lynn's nursing educational journey at ORU, and the university's vision for raising up nursing students to follow God in their careers, Lynn and Bruce established a permanent endowed scholarship at ORU - "The Dr. Lynn Bernsdorf Clutter Nursing Student Scholarship." In memory of Lynn, tax-deductible donations to the scholarship fund may be made directly to ORU. Donations by check should include "Clutter Scholarship" in the memo line and can be mailed to Oral Roberts University, 7777 S. Lewis Ave., Tulsa, OK 74171.
Lynn lived a full, rich, blessed life. The most important things to remember about Lynn are her deep faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for 51 years, her unwavering love for her family, and the impact her bright life had on so many whose lives she touched.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Below is the video of the full memorial service for Lynn, held at TCF October 2, 2023
This video below was played during Lynn's memorial service, with a retrospective of life and family
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