William R. Utesch 1928-2002

UTESCH PARKS FEY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 7/11/2011 at 00:19:33

Sioux City Journal
19 April 2002

CORRECTIONVILLE, Iowa -- William R. Utesch, 74, of Correctionville died Tuesday, April 16, 2002, in rural Correctionville as a result of a farm accident.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at grace United Methodist Church in Correctionville with the Rev. Sheryl K. Ashley officiating. Burial will be in Good Hope Cemetery, rural Correctionville. Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. today, with family present 6 to 8 p.m. at the church, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., and Masonic rites at 7:30 p.m. Barker Funeral Home in Correctionville is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Utesch was born Feb. 2, 1928, on a farm near Correctionville, the son of William R. and Mary Cleao (Parks) Utesch. He was a 1944 graduate of Correctionville High School. Upon graduation he began farming on the family farm north of Correctionville. He married Mary Louise Fey on March 28, 1948, in Correctionville. To this union were born five children, Sherrie Sue, who died at birth, Craig William, Brad Wayne, Kirk Warren and Mary Catherine. He worked all his life in the business of farming, purchasing the family farm from his father's estate, adding to it over the years and growing it to include the next generation. With his sons, he established Triple U Ranch as a family farming operation.

He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Correctionville, where he served on many committees throughout the years and was currently co-chairing the building planning committee and was the financial committee chairman.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman, spending time with family, neighbors and friends on various hunting excursions and fishing trips to Minnesota. His interest in all things outdoors led him to actively engage in many conservation programs. Farming, cattle and operating the D-7 caterpillar dozer to do conservation work were his passions. He was active in many farming organizations, serving on the Woodbury County Cattleman's Board, and was a member of the Farm Bureau, Correctionville Co-op board of directors, Iowa Cattlemen's Association, and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. He was a beef leader of the Rock-Kee-Union 4-H Club for many years when his children were 4-H members. He has been a supporter of Woodbury County 4-H and the Woodbury County Fair for many years.

He was a member of Crulean Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Anthon, Iowa, Thona Chapter O.E.S., Abu Bekr Shrine Temple, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Cherokee Shrine Club and the Flying Carpets. He was a pilot and owned and operated an airplane with two neighbors. He was an advocate for education, serving on the board of directors of Summit #2 Rural School and Eastwood Community Schools. He was one of the original founders of the Correctionville Nursing Home, serving on the board until it was sold.

Over the years, he earned many honors. In 1963 the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce named him as its Young Farmer of the Year. He was honored as the Honorary Chapter Farmer by both the Eastwood FFA and the Little Sioux Valley FFA. In 2000, William and his family were named "Environmental Stewardship Award" winners by the National Cattlemen's Association. As a family they received the award on William's 73rd birthday and celebrated both events in San Antonio, Texas at the convention.

William and Mary enjoyed their home at the Iowa Great Lakes and their winters with friends in Palm Springs, Calif. Travel and tourism became a part of their lives with trips to Europe, China and the Panama Canal. The friendships established during those times truly enriched their lives.

Survivors include his wife; his sons, Craig and his wife, Elaine, Brad and his wife, Karen, Kirk and his wife, Barbara; a daughter, Cathy Pansegrau; six sisters, Faye Goodwin, Violet Altemus, Marjorie and her husband, Melvin, Alice Volkert and her husband, Marvin, Phyllis Todd and her husband, Leonard, Wanda Friedrichsen and her husband, Fritz; a sister-in-law, Shirley Holz and her husband, Norman; 10 grandchildren, Annie, Matthew, Brandon, Jessica, Kari, Carly, Kelsey and Nathan Utesch, and William and Joshua Pansegrau; many nieces and nephews; and a special family friend, Norma Thies.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Sherrie Sue; two brothers-in-law, Jerry Goodwin and Frank Altemus.