Romaine Utke

Romaine A. Utke, age 102 of Shawano, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, March 29,
2026, in Shawano.
Romaine was born in the Town of Herman on February 1, 1924, a daughter of the late Ernest and
Esther (Fritz) Baumgartner. She attended country school in the Town of Herman. Following
school Romaine worked as a nanny. On July 25, 1942, she was united in marriage to Lester Utke
at her parents’ home. The couple made their home in Shawano. Shortly after their marriage,
Lester was drafted into the U.S. Army. While he was in service Romaine lived with her parents
and her in-laws and worked as a housekeeper. When Lester returned from service, she stayed
home to raise their family. Romaine would later go on to work at Zwicker Knitting Mill in
Shawano as a seamstress, retiring in the 1980’s after 27 years with the company.
Romaine is a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. She and Lester enjoyed
boating, snowmobiling, baseball, and car racing. Most importantly, Romaine loved her children
and grandchildren. Lester preceded her in death on May 19, 2016.
Survivors include her children, Kathleen (Bun) Stoehr of Shawano, Rick (Betty Kaliebe) Utke of
Shawano, Marsha Rodefer of Shawano, and Jodi (Ted) Sommer of New London; her
grandchildren, Chad Stoehr, Trisha (Tracy) Ondik, Sydney Utke, Bryan (Nikki) Utke, Beth Ann
(Kim) Thompson, Rebecca White, and David Rodefer; her great-grandchildren, Brady, Isabella,
Brystol, and Tessa; her sister, Darlene Dayton; her brother, Delmar (Melba) Baumgartner; her
daughter-in-law, Sharon Utke; and numerous nieces and nephews. Romaine was preceded in
death by two sons, Robert, and Randall Utke; her daughter-in-law, Delphine Utke; her son-in-
law, Richard “Rody” Rodefer; two brothers, Donald (Rita) Baumgartner, and Bud (Jane)
Baumgartner; three sisters, Carol (Charlie) Drake, Eldine (Edgar) Darrow, and Ruby (Hugo)
Gast; and her brother-in-law, Bob Dayton.
A funeral service for Romaine will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 1:30 pm at
Mickelson Funeral Service in Shawano. Pastor Andrew Zobel will officiate. Burial will take
place in Woodlawn Cemetery in Shawano. Visitation will begin at the funeral home at 11:30 am
and continue until the time of service.
Mickelson Funeral and Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements.
Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com.
“The family would like to thank Evergreen Nursing Home for the compassion and care Romaine
received while she was a resident there, and a special thank you to Moments Hospice and her
caregivers, Mindy Murphy, Mary Shest, and Holly Spreeman.”