June Utecht

June Rose Utecht, 88, Wausau, died Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at Mt View, North Central Health Care, Wausau under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.

June was born June 20, 1925 in Wausau to the late Henry and Anna (Kort) Lutzke. She married Harold N. Utecht on October 16, 1948 at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Wausau. The couple worked together on the family dairy farm for 60 years. Harold died on December 16, 2008 after celebrating 60 years of marriage with June.

June was a well respected woman whose determination and strong faith guided her throughout life. She was very active at church with Bible Study, Ladies Aid, Alter Committee and singing in the choir. June was also active in her community. She was a member of the Homemakers, 4H, German Club and year after year Harold and June would serve ice cream at the local fairs for Farm Bureau.

Family was also very important to June; she was caretaker to several extra family members over the years and taught a strong work ethic to her children and grandchildren.

In her free time June enjoyed working in her garden and canning, hosting parties, playing sheepshead, music and dancing. At both age 5 and 85 she could be found tapping her feet to her favorite polkas.

June is survived by her loving children; Gary (Sandy) Utecht, Linda (David Keeffe) Weltzin, David (Laurie) Utecht, John (Patricia) Utecht and Lisa (Tracy) Brown. Grandchildren; Nicole (Brian) Dulak, Brad (Jessi) Utecht, Melissa (Lowell) Heise, Angela (James Shields) Connolly, Justin (Kristin Zunker) Weltzin, Ryan (Jen) Utecht and Nathan Utecht. Great-grandchildren; Alexis and Brenna Dulak, Trever and Brody Utecht, Mason and Dane Heise and Livia Connolly. Sisters-in-law; Mary Lutzke and Clo Lutzke-Kort. Brothers and sister-in-law; Donald and Elaine Utecht and Lilas Brandt, and extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her son, Brian Utecht; grandson, Thomas Utecht; and 5 brothers and 3 sisters.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, April 12th at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, Town of Stettin. Revered Phil Bogen will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Friday, April 11th at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau, resuming at 10:00 AM on Saturday until the time of services at the church. Burial will follow the service at Stettin Christian Cemetery.

A heartfelt word of thanks goes to the nurses and staff of North Central Health Care and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for their compassionate care of June and her family.