Utter, Donald Thomas (1922-2018)

UTTER, ADAMS, HOPE, BUCKLER, CRABB, BOUMA, POORE

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:00

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, January 15, 2018

Donald Utter, 95, of Ankeny, died Thursday, January 11, 2018 at Mill Pond Assisted Living in Ankeny, Iowa. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Foster Funeral and Cremation Center with Pastor Ray Artrip officiating. Burial will follow the services at Graceland Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until service time on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Donald Thomas Utter, son of Gail and Eva Adams Utter, was born February 26, 1922 in Gravity, Iowa. He met Helen Hope after she moved to Gravity in 1938. They graduated from Gravity High School together in 1939. On August 4, 1940, he married Helen Hope at the Christian Church in Gravity. Don worked for the Hy-Vee grocery store in Bedford from 1939 to 1943.

Don served in the U.S. Army from April 1943 to November 1945. He served in the European Theatre of Operations, and was in the 104th Infantry division. Following his Honorable discharge, they lived in Bedford and he continued to work for Hy-Vee. He also managed stores in Cameron, MO and Unionville, MO. In 1950 he began work at Central Petroleum Co. as a sales representative and moved to Webster City in 1951. He became a District Manager over 14 counties for many years. He was in the top 5 in sales in the country for Cen-Pe-Co as a salesman for 8 to 10 years. He gave up his district duties in 1964 but maintained his customers in Hamilton County until Fall, 2012 when he moved to Ankeny.

Don is survived by his sons; Gail (Donna) Utter of Ankeny; Dennis (Betty) Utter of Chariton; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, Dave and DeDe Utter of Corona, CA; Debra and Kevin Buckler of Novato, CA, their children, Kathryn, Alysa and Kelly; Lisa and Russ Crabb of Pleasant Hill, their children, Tyler and Bryce; Carol and Chris Bouma of Ellington, MO, their children, Reece and Briley.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Helen, and his sister Dorothea Poore.

Don was a member of the Church of Christ in Webster City; the American Legion Post #191 and the Elmo Lodge 62-I.O.O.F. He enjoyed sports – fishing and baseball especially the Chicago Cubs! And was happiest of all when he was with his family!

Write a personal tribute for the family at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com.