Obit: Utecht, Harold Norman (1926 - 2008)
Contact: R. Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Brandt, Brown, Burt, Connolly, Dulak, Gall, Heise, Keeffe, Kolb, Lutzke, Schutte, Utecht, Weltzin, Zahn

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI), Wednesday, December 19, Online Edition

Utecht, Harold Norman (November 28, 1926 - December 16, 2008)

Harold Norman Utecht, 82, Marathon, Wisconsin, died peacefully on December 16, 2008, while surrounded by his loving family.

Harold was born November 28, 1926 in the town of Maine to the late Norman and Verna (Zahn) Utecht.

He married June Lutzke on October 16, 1948 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Wausau and they recently celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Harold worked at Stieber Dairy in Wausau for nine years in the 1940's. He purchased his father's dairy farm in 1954 which he worked with June, his six children and several grandchildren, until his passing.

Harold had a lifelong passion for promoting agriculture in Marathon County which included his involvement with the Wisconsin Valley Fair, Farm Progress Days, past board member of the American Milk Producers Incorporated and past board president of the Athens Co-op. Harold was also a member of the Pommerscher Verein German Club, and a poll worker in the Town of Stettin for many years.

He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, town of Stettin where he provided a favorite service of ringing the church bells for services for over forty years.

June and Harold loved the Polka Music, danced beautifully together, and would dance the night away on many occasions over the years.

Survivors include June, his loving wife of 60 years; and three sons, Gary (Sandy) Utecht, David (Laurie) Utecht, John (Patty) Utecht, all of Marathon; two daughters, Linda Weltzin (David Keeffe), Wausau, and Lisa (Tracy) Brown, Tomahawk.

He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Nicole (Brian) Dulak, Mosinee, Melissa (Lowell) Heise, Marathon, Brad (Jessi) Utecht, Marathon, Angela Connolly, Largo, Fla., Justin Weltzin, Sarasota, Fla., Ryan Utecht, Appleton, and Nathan Utecht, Marathon; his brother, Donald (Elaine) Utecht, Green Bay; and his sister Eileen (Lilas) Brandt, Wausau. Harold was preceded in death by his parents; two infant brothers; a son, Brian Utecht; and a grandson, Thomas Utecht.

Very special in Harold's world were his four great grandchildren, Alexis and Brenna Dulak, Mason Heise, and Livia Connolly.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 20, 2008 at Trinity Lutheran Church, town of Stettin. Reverend Clarence Gall and Reverend Susan Kolb will preside.

Burial will be in Stettin Christian Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Helke Funeral Home and at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.

The entire family would like to thank Lori Schutte of Aspirus-Marathon Clinic, the staff at Marywood, Dr. Burt, and the staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for their compassion and care.

We love you and will miss you Dad, Grandpa, and Great Papa.

You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.