Craig & Elaine Utesch

UTESCH FEY WILTSE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 10/15/2010 at 22:04:46

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

Craig and Elaine Utesch
By Craig & Elaine Utesch

Craig William Utesch was born September 3, 1952, at Schaller, Iowa, to William R Utesch, and Mary Louise Fey Utesch. He was reared on the family farm, six miles north of Correctionville, Iowa. Craig attended school from kindergarten through seventh grade at Summit #2, north of Correctionville. He attended Eastwood Community school in Correctionville from the eighth through the twelfth grade, graduating in May 1970. In high school, Craig was active in football, track, FFA, and student government.

Following graduation, Craig attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa for one and one-half years. He returned to the family farm in March 1972 to join his father’s farming and cattle feeding operation. He entered into a partnership with his father and two brothers, Brad and Kirk, in 1978.

On July 6, 1974, Craig married Elaine Kay Wiltse, daughter of Robert Fay Wiltse and Bonnie Jean Ruffcorn Wiltse of Correctionville. Craig and Elaine are the parents of two children, Matthew William, born October 19, 1976, and Jessica Kay, born April 5, 1979. They presently live on a farm owned by Craig’s brother, Kirk, three and one-half miles north of Correctionville.

In 1977 Craig and Elaine purchased a farm in southern Cherokee county formerly owned by Harvey Flewelling of Washta, Iowa.

Craig is a member of the Woodbury County Cattlemen’s Association, serving as secretary-treasurer for a year; the American Simmental Association; and the Correctionville United Methodist Church. He enjoys hunting with a local hunter’s club and has hunted elk in Colorado for several years.

Elaine Kay Wiltse Utesch was born July 21, 1955, in Greenville, Mississippi, to Robert Fay Wiltse and Bonnie Jean Ruffcorn Wiltse. They moved to Correctionville, Iowa, in August 1949, where Robert was engaged to teach at the local high school. Elaine attended school at Correctionville, graduating form Eastwood High School in May 1973. During high school, she was active in softball, basketball, drama, music, FHA, and national Honor Society. Following graduation Elaine attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. She married Craig William Utesch on July 6, 1974, in Correctionville. She attended Morningside College in Sioux City, rom 1975-1976. Elaine has attended Westmar College in LeMars, and is a December 1983 graduate with a bachelor of arts degree in Home Economics Education.

Elaine is a member of the Correctionville United Methodist church; Order of Eastern Star; Majority member, Order of Rainbow for Girls; Iowa Home Economics Association; and the American Home Economics Assocation.