Utech, Raymond Earl (1911-2007)

UTECH, PIEPENBURG, SANDVOLD, IOOS, PECH

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/15/2008 at 09:16:43

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, April 3, 2007

Raymond E. Utech, 95, of Le Mars, died Sunday, April 1, 2007, at the Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars.

Raymond Earl Utech was born July 19, 1911, on the family farm in Elgin Township, rural Plymouth County, the son of William and Mary (Piepenburg) Utech. As a young child, Ray attended church with his family at the Seney United Methodist Church and attended country school near his home. He graduated from Le Mars Central High School in 1930. In 1931, Ray purchased a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle for $375.00 to ride to Brandon, S.D., to visit family.

Following high school, Ray continued to help his family on the farm. He later moved to Minnesota to farm. He returned to Le Mars and worked for Henry Ioos and Alan Eilts building homes for several years. Ray was united in marriage to Helen Sandvold on Sept. 11, 1975 in Le Mars. Helen and Ray lived in Mesa, Ariz. Helen died on March 7, 1988.

While living in Arizona, Ray attended St. Andrew United Methodist Church and in the early 1990s when Ray returned to Le Mars, he began attending the Presbyterian United Church of Christ. Ray enjoyed fishing and hunting in Iowa and Minnesota.

Survivors include two sisters: Margaret Ioos and Mamie Pech of Le Mars; a sister-in-law, Florence Utech of Le Mars; and several nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary (Piepenburg) Utech; five brothers: Frank, Edward, Wesley, Lawrence, and Elmer in infancy; and a sister, Lillian Pech.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars, with the Rev. Drew Tomberlin of the Presbyterian United Church of Christ officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitations will begin after 3 p.m. Wednesday, at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitations will continue from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Thursday at the funeral home.