Utech, Marian 1923-2015

UTECH, VANES, KRAAI

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/8/2016 at 14:27:52

Mrs. Mariann Utech, age 92, of Orange City, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2015, at the Prairie Ridge Care Center in Orange City, after a long illness with Alzheimer's, with her beloved husband of over 71 years by her side.

There will be a funeral service on Saturday, January 2, at 10:00 a.m. at the Prairie Ridge Care Center in Orange City. The Rev. Bob Rook will officiate. Interment will follow the service at the Rest Haven Memorial Park near Le Mars. Visitation will be the half hour before the service on Saturday at the care center.

Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Mariann was born on September 20, 1923, in Orange City, the daughter of Fred and Pearl (Van Es) Kraai. She attended Northwestern College in Orange City, where she met the love of her life, Robert Utech.

They eloped and were married on June 3, 1944, in Manitou Springs, Colorado, where “Bob” was stationed while serving in the United States Army during World War II. They made their home in Orange City, and she was a school teacher in the Newkirk Elementary School. They later moved to Le Mars where, after her daughters were grown, she was employed at Harkers, retiring in 1982. They then moved to Spirit Lake and wintered in Arizona. In 2015, they became residents of Prairie Ridge.

Survivors include her husband; two daughters and their husbands, Mary and Duane Ott, of Sioux City; and Vicki Pospisil and Gerald Dolf, both of Waterloo; six grandchildren and their spouses, Michael and Courtney Ott, Sarah and Michael Archer, Mark Pospisil, Matthew and Stephanie Ott, Christy Pospisil, and Julie Ott; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Erwin Kraai; and a sister-in-law and her husband, Marilyn and Miller Glanzer.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Rolette Kraai; and her parents-in-law, Ed and Clara Utech.

Mariann was dearly loved by her family, who will miss her smile and the twinkle in her eyes. They are comforted by knowing she is safely held in the arms of her Heavenly Father.

Memorials will be directed to the Orange City Area Home Health and Hospice.

~Source: Oolman Funeral Home