Utesch, Helen C. 1934-2002

UTESCH, MOHNING, WIEBKE

Posted By: Linda Ziemann (email)
Date: 7/28/2007 at 21:40:57

LE MARS, Iowa -- Helen C. Utesch, 68, of Le Mars passed away Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002, at her home following a lengthy illness.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars, with the Revs. Jean Morse and Gary Landsness officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memory Gardens, Le Mars. Visitation will begin 2 p.m. today, with the family present 5 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church.

Helen Caroline Mohning was born Nov. 6, 1934, on the family farm in Marion Township, Plymouth County, Iowa. She was the daughter of Louis H. and Wilhelmine (Wiebke) Mohning. Helen attended country school and later transferred to Le Mars to graduate from Le Mars High School. Following her education, Helen worked for optometrist Dr. Hagen in Le Mars.

On June 19, 1956, Helen and Ronald Utesch were united in marriage at St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. The couple made their home in Le Mars. Helen stayed at home to raise their children and then worked as a bookkeeper and receptionist at the Plymouth County Co-Op. She retired in 1992.

Helen was a lifelong and active member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. She served as a Sunday school and catechism teacher, sang in the choir, participated with the Women of the E.L.C.A., belonged to the Ephphatha Circle and served on the Altar Guild. She was an avid flower gardener and birdwatcher.

Helen's family includes her husband, Ronald of Le Mars; a daughter, Joni Stieneke and her husband, Gary of South Sioux City; three sons, Greg and his wife, Barb of Ames, Iowa, Mark and his wife, Amanda of Deltona, Fla., and John and his wife, Julie of Bristol, Va.; grandchildren, Kara and Amanda Stieneke, Elizabeth, Benjamin and Caleb Utesch, Whitney Utesch and Heather Williams; three sisters, Alverna Lowery of Mariposa, Calif., Esther Sjobakken of Stanton, Calif., and Norma Miller and her husband, Floyd of Le Mars; a sister-in-law, Hilda Mohning of Le Mars; four brothers, Louis and his wife, Lillian of Remsen, Iowa, Merlin and his wife, Margaret of Paonia, Colo., Raymond of Kingsley, Iowa, and her twin brother, Henry of Le Mars.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Arnold.

~source: The Sioux City Journal, Dec. 8, 2002