Look closely. The foot of St. Francis in Immanuel St. Joseph’s hospital lobby is often a bit more polished than the rest of the statue.

Frozen in time, the sculpture reaches out to patients and their families, offering to touch them with a message of inspiration, peace and hope. Many reach back, accepting — without knowing their touch makes it shine.

That’s exactly what Patty Lloyd, her brother Fred Lutz and his wife Diane wanted when they chose the work of art to honor the lives of Fred and Patty’s parents, Mary and Fred Lutz, Sr.

Fred and Patty grew up in a home inspired by generosity. They wanted to honor that spirit and share it with others. When Immanuel St. Joseph’s lobby was being built, they arranged for local artist Paul T. Granlund to create the nine-foot statue of St. Francis of Assisi that stands there today.

“We wanted to anonymously reach people and give them something they could physically touch,” Patty says. “This sculpture offers a message of peace, tranquility and a reminder of the presence of a spiritual being.” The statue encompasses the circle of life – the earth, moon stars, birth and death.” It represents the presence of joy and hope, even in times of sickness and grief. “Art itself offers healing, and honors our existence – our worth in life. Hopefully moments at the statue provide a temporary escape to people who are hurting, offering a time to absorb all they’ve been through.”

The Lutz and Lloyd families continue to show appreciation for the care received at Immanuel St. Joseph’s hospital. Generous donations of time and financial support through the Foundation show the strength of lessons learned by example.

“Our parents taught us the importance of giving back in what they said and did,” Fred shares. “They were very caring people, concerned for others. Mother gave back through service; my father did so financially, through the family business. Neither of them wanted to be singled out for what they’d done.”

Fred and Patty grew up in the shadow of “Mr. 7UP.” Their father bought Mankato Bottling Company in 1946, and Fred, Patty and her husband Jim worked in all areas of the business. Recognized as a high-profile, national figure in the ’70s and early ’80s, Fred served as national president of several industry associations.

When all of their children chose different professions, they decided to sell the business about four years after their father passed away. Fred was president, Jim vice-president.

Fred, Diane and Patty decided to stay in the Mankato area, and are strong advocates of volunteerism and service to community.

“We lost each of our parents, and I lost my husband,” Patty adds. “Our experiences with the hospital encouraged us to want to give back.”

“Our parents survived the depression,” Fred says. “Even in hard times, they were generous and willing to help others. They taught us that to have anything you have to give. You have to give to receive. Our generation has more means to give than any generation before. It can be tempting to live for the moment, but it’s important to give back. You have to think about that, and ask yourself, ‘What is my legacy?’

“The thing I like about supporting Immanuel St. Joseph’s hospital through the Foundation is that the money stays in this community, and directly helps the people here. Our parents were dedicated to this area and chose it as home. We share that conviction.”

“It’s important to give back where you live,” Diane adds. “The Mankato area is our home, and we feel loyal to help support it.”

Through the Foundation, generous donations from family and friends funded the 600-pound, bronze sculpture in loving memory of Mary and Fred Lutz, Sr. The hustle and bustle of hospital activity swarms around it daily. But for those who stop and look, there’s a powerful sentiment of care reaching out from good people behind the statue’s story – with a loving message of hope.