Blanche Johanna Utke, age 87, of the Town of Waukechon, passed away on March 15, 2017 at Oak Haven in Shawano. Blanche was born in Appleton on March 9, 1930 to the late C. Rudolph and Jeanette (VanderZanden) Jacobson. At the age of 10, Blanche and her family moved to Oconto Falls, where she completed her education. On November 14, 1956, Blanche was united in marriage to Earle Utke at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine. They owned and operated a farm in the Town of Waukechon and hauled milk for Consolidated Badger. Blanche enjoyed riding along with him for 26 years. Blanche and Earle loved to travel with family and friends, visiting 46 of the 50 states. She also enjoyed riding on the motorcycle with Earle. Earle preceded her in death on September 20, 1995. Blanche was a member of the Flower Queens Homemaker Club and enjoyed sewing quilts, and made quilts for numerous people over the years.
Blanche is survived by: her children, Cynthia (David) Waegli of Shawano, Chris (Teresa) Utke of Clintonville and Mark (special friend, Sue) Utke of Marion; former daughter-in-law, Jean Baumgarten of Bonduel; five grandchildren, Maik (Tina) Ehlers, Timothy (Nicole) Utke, Kyle (Anna) Utke, Elizabeth Utke and Rebecca Utke; five great-grandchildren, Jack, Max, Marleigh, Isabelle, and Kysen; one sister, Marion (Donald) Nemetz of Shawano; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including special nephew Brian and his children Brianna and Austin.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Earle; one son, Timothy in 1972; one grandson, Dawson Waegli and her parents.
Funeral services for Blanche will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano with Rev. Steve Conradt officiating. Inurnment will be in St. John’s Cemetery in Belle Plaine. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00 pm until the time of the service.
The family would like to thank the staff at Birch Hill as well as the staff at Paiser’s Oak Haven for the care given to Blanche.