Dale DeForrest Utesch, 87, was released into God's loving hands April 4, 2014, at the VA Hospice Unit in Tomah.
Dale was born Dec. 31, 1926, in Madison, S.D., to Walter and Matie Utesch.
Dale was a graduate of Portage High School, who upon finishing senior year early enlisted in the U.S. Navy to serve his country. He was a World War II Navy veteran and served in the occupational forces in Japan. Upon returning home from the service, he attended Ripon College.
On June 8, 1957, he married Wilma (Billie Ramsay) at Caledonia Presbyterian Church, Portage, Wis. Dale and Billie enjoyed their time together in their 56 years. They enjoyed the outdoors, observing nature, hunting and fishing, trap shooting, playing games, cooking, traveling and enjoying various sports teams throughout the years.
Dale worked for 35 years in the telephone industry, working in six different states. He always had time to volunteer and help the youth, church and the communities where he lived.
Upon retirement, he and Billie enjoyed 22 years living in Forsyth, Mo., where he loved fishing, going to music shows and going to basketball games, including the NAIA National Basketball Tournaments at the College of the Ozarks that he was particularly fond of. In 2012, they moved back to Tomah, to be closer to family.
Dale was a member of several organizations through the years, including the Lions Club and the American Legion. He also was a member of the Caledonia Presbyterian Church.
It cannot go without saying that Dale had a quick wit, infectious dimpled smile and contagious laughter. He delighted in the natural gifts of this world, and one of his favorite pastimes was fishing with family and friends and later with his children. He loved card games of all kinds, including long games played around the table with his beloved grandchildren. He especially enjoyed his years in retirement and the temperate weather and good friends in the Forsyth area.
Dale is survived by his wife, Billie; and sons, Lynn D. Utesch, (Nancy), who reside in Kewaunee, Wis., and their children, Russell Halvorson (Abby Stover), Volo, Ill., Joseph Halvorson, Minneapolis, Adeline Utesch, Chicago, and Sam and Haakon, Kewaunee; son, Jeff D. Utesch (Shannon) and their daughter, Sevanna, who reside in Tomah; he had one great-grandson, Russell J. Halvorson III, Volo; his sister, Bonnie Strauss resides in Missouri; and sisters-in-law, Margaret Ramsay and Marian McMahon, Portage; and Beth (James) Hitchcock, Rockville, Md.
Dale was preceded in death by his son, Gary; parents, Walter and Matie; and a brother, Jack.
A celebration of Dale's life will take place at 2 p.m. May 24, at Caledonia Presbyterian Church. Pastor Paula Bremer will be officiating. Attire, as Dale would wish, will be casual.
Memorials given to the family will be shared with the College of the Ozarks and Spirit Camp for children with spinal bifida, which Dale supported.
Caledonia Presbyterian Church is located in Portage, Wis. Take Interstate 90/94 to Hwy. 78 exit west toward Merrimac. The church is 3 miles away. Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah, is assisting the family with arrangements.
La Crosse Tribune (WI) - Sunday, May 4, 2014
Dale was born Dec. 31, 1926, in Madison, S.D., to Walter and Matie Utesch.
Dale was a graduate of Portage High School, who upon finishing senior year early enlisted in the U.S. Navy to serve his country. He was a World War II Navy veteran and served in the occupational forces in Japan. Upon returning home from the service, he attended Ripon College.
On June 8, 1957, he married Wilma (Billie Ramsay) at Caledonia Presbyterian Church, Portage, Wis. Dale and Billie enjoyed their time together in their 56 years. They enjoyed the outdoors, observing nature, hunting and fishing, trap shooting, playing games, cooking, traveling and enjoying various sports teams throughout the years.
Dale worked for 35 years in the telephone industry, working in six different states. He always had time to volunteer and help the youth, church and the communities where he lived.
Upon retirement, he and Billie enjoyed 22 years living in Forsyth, Mo., where he loved fishing, going to music shows and going to basketball games, including the NAIA National Basketball Tournaments at the College of the Ozarks that he was particularly fond of. In 2012, they moved back to Tomah, to be closer to family.
Dale was a member of several organizations through the years, including the Lions Club and the American Legion. He also was a member of the Caledonia Presbyterian Church.
It cannot go without saying that Dale had a quick wit, infectious dimpled smile and contagious laughter. He delighted in the natural gifts of this world, and one of his favorite pastimes was fishing with family and friends and later with his children. He loved card games of all kinds, including long games played around the table with his beloved grandchildren. He especially enjoyed his years in retirement and the temperate weather and good friends in the Forsyth area.
Dale is survived by his wife, Billie; and sons, Lynn D. Utesch, (Nancy), who reside in Kewaunee, Wis., and their children, Russell Halvorson (Abby Stover), Volo, Ill., Joseph Halvorson, Minneapolis, Adeline Utesch, Chicago, and Sam and Haakon, Kewaunee; son, Jeff D. Utesch (Shannon) and their daughter, Sevanna, who reside in Tomah; he had one great-grandson, Russell J. Halvorson III, Volo; his sister, Bonnie Strauss resides in Missouri; and sisters-in-law, Margaret Ramsay and Marian McMahon, Portage; and Beth (James) Hitchcock, Rockville, Md.
Dale was preceded in death by his son, Gary; parents, Walter and Matie; and a brother, Jack.
A celebration of Dale's life will take place at 2 p.m. May 24, at Caledonia Presbyterian Church. Pastor Paula Bremer will be officiating. Attire, as Dale would wish, will be casual.
Memorials given to the family will be shared with the College of the Ozarks and Spirit Camp for children with spinal bifida, which Dale supported.
Caledonia Presbyterian Church is located in Portage, Wis. Take Interstate 90/94 to Hwy. 78 exit west toward Merrimac. The church is 3 miles away. Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah, is assisting the family with arrangements.
La Crosse Tribune (WI) - Sunday, May 4, 2014
Dale DeForrest Utesch, 87, was released into God's loving hands April 4, 2014, at the VA Hospice Unit in Tomah.
Dale was born Dec. 31, 1926, in Madison, S.D., to Walter and Matie Utesch.
Dale was a graduate of Portage High School, who upon finishing senior year early enlisted in the U.S. Navy to serve his country. He was a World War II Navy veteran and served in the occupational forces in Japan. Upon returning home from the service, he attended Ripon College.
On June 8, 1957, he married Wilma (Billie Ramsay) at Caledonia Presbyterian Church, Portage, Wis. Dale and Billie enjoyed their time together in their 56 years. They enjoyed the outdoors, observing nature, hunting and fishing, trap shooting, playing games, cooking, traveling and enjoying various sports teams throughout the years.
Dale worked for 35 years in the telephone industry, working in six different states. He always had time to volunteer and help the youth, church and the communities where he lived.
Upon retirement, he and Billie enjoyed 22 years living in Forsyth, Mo., where he loved fishing, going to music shows and going to basketball games, including the NAIA National Basketball Tournaments at the College of the Ozarks that he was particularly fond of. In 2012, they moved back to Tomah, to be closer to family.
Dale was a member of several organizations through the years, including the Lions Club and the American Legion. He also was a member of the Caledonia Presbyterian Church.
It cannot go without saying that Dale had a quick wit, infectious dimpled smile and contagious laughter. He delighted in the natural gifts of this world, and one of his favorite pastimes was fishing with family and friends and later with his children. He loved card games of all kinds, including long games played around the table with his beloved grandchildren. He especially enjoyed his years in retirement and the temperate weather and good friends in the Forsyth area.
Dale is survived by his wife, Billie; and sons, Lynn D. Utesch, (Nancy), who reside in Kewaunee, Wis., and their children, Russell Halvorson (Abby Stover), Volo, Ill., Joseph Halvorson, Minneapolis, Adeline Utesch, Chicago, and Sam and Haakon, Kewaunee; son, Jeff D. Utesch (Shannon) and their daughter, Sevanna, who reside in Tomah; he had one great-grandson, Russell J. Halvorson III, Volo; his sister, Bonnie Strauss resides in Missouri; and sisters-in-law, Margaret Ramsay and Marian McMahon, Portage; and Beth (James) Hitchcock, Rockville, Md.
Dale was preceded in death by his son, Gary; parents, Walter and Matie; and a brother, Jack.
A celebration of Dale's life will take place at 2 p.m. May 24, at Caledonia Presbyterian Church. Pastor Paula Bremer will be officiating. Attire, as Dale would wish, will be casual.
Memorials given to the family will be shared with the College of the Ozarks and Spirit Camp for children with spinal bifida, which Dale supported.
Caledonia Presbyterian Church is located in Portage, Wis. Take Interstate 90/94 to Hwy. 78 exit west toward Merrimac. The church is 3 miles away. Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah, is assisting the family with arrangements.
La Crosse Tribune (WI) - Sunday, May 4, 2014
Dale was born Dec. 31, 1926, in Madison, S.D., to Walter and Matie Utesch.
Dale was a graduate of Portage High School, who upon finishing senior year early enlisted in the U.S. Navy to serve his country. He was a World War II Navy veteran and served in the occupational forces in Japan. Upon returning home from the service, he attended Ripon College.
On June 8, 1957, he married Wilma (Billie Ramsay) at Caledonia Presbyterian Church, Portage, Wis. Dale and Billie enjoyed their time together in their 56 years. They enjoyed the outdoors, observing nature, hunting and fishing, trap shooting, playing games, cooking, traveling and enjoying various sports teams throughout the years.
Dale worked for 35 years in the telephone industry, working in six different states. He always had time to volunteer and help the youth, church and the communities where he lived.
Upon retirement, he and Billie enjoyed 22 years living in Forsyth, Mo., where he loved fishing, going to music shows and going to basketball games, including the NAIA National Basketball Tournaments at the College of the Ozarks that he was particularly fond of. In 2012, they moved back to Tomah, to be closer to family.
Dale was a member of several organizations through the years, including the Lions Club and the American Legion. He also was a member of the Caledonia Presbyterian Church.
It cannot go without saying that Dale had a quick wit, infectious dimpled smile and contagious laughter. He delighted in the natural gifts of this world, and one of his favorite pastimes was fishing with family and friends and later with his children. He loved card games of all kinds, including long games played around the table with his beloved grandchildren. He especially enjoyed his years in retirement and the temperate weather and good friends in the Forsyth area.
Dale is survived by his wife, Billie; and sons, Lynn D. Utesch, (Nancy), who reside in Kewaunee, Wis., and their children, Russell Halvorson (Abby Stover), Volo, Ill., Joseph Halvorson, Minneapolis, Adeline Utesch, Chicago, and Sam and Haakon, Kewaunee; son, Jeff D. Utesch (Shannon) and their daughter, Sevanna, who reside in Tomah; he had one great-grandson, Russell J. Halvorson III, Volo; his sister, Bonnie Strauss resides in Missouri; and sisters-in-law, Margaret Ramsay and Marian McMahon, Portage; and Beth (James) Hitchcock, Rockville, Md.
Dale was preceded in death by his son, Gary; parents, Walter and Matie; and a brother, Jack.
A celebration of Dale's life will take place at 2 p.m. May 24, at Caledonia Presbyterian Church. Pastor Paula Bremer will be officiating. Attire, as Dale would wish, will be casual.
Memorials given to the family will be shared with the College of the Ozarks and Spirit Camp for children with spinal bifida, which Dale supported.
Caledonia Presbyterian Church is located in Portage, Wis. Take Interstate 90/94 to Hwy. 78 exit west toward Merrimac. The church is 3 miles away. Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah, is assisting the family with arrangements.
La Crosse Tribune (WI) - Sunday, May 4, 2014
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