Mary Jane Utech

The funeral for Mary Jane Utech of Morris, Minnesota will be held on Monday, September 17, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Morris, with Reverend Dan Belgum-Blad officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at Pedersen Funeral Home and Monday one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Summit Cemetery, Morris.

Mary Jane Christensen, daughter of Orvin and Erna (Jensen) Christensen was born on April 20, 1927 in Cottonwood County, Windom, Minnesota, where she grew up and attended school at String Lake School District. Mary Jane attended Mankato Beauty School in Mankato, Minnesota and was a hairdresser in Heron Lake for several years. She was united in marriage to Stanley Utech on November 24, 1949 in Heron Lake, Minnesota. The couple made their home and farmed near Heron Lake until 1955, then the family moved to Morris, Minnesota to continue to farm. Mary Jane stayed at home to raise their 7 children and kept the farm books. In 1977, Mary Jane took a position at Willie’s Red Owl, working as a store clerk until her retirement. Stanley died on December 24, 1994. Mary Jane continued to live on the farm until her time of death.

She was a member of First Lutheran Church, Merry Homemakers Club and the V.F.W. Auxiliary. Mary Jane enjoyed crocheting, knitting, quilt making, and traveling with family throughout the U.S. She will be remembered for her baking and cooking; Mary Jane just by chance would have her children and grandchildren’s favorite cookies on hand when visiting.

Mary Jane died on Sunday, September 9, 2018, surrounded by family, at the Steven Community Medical Center in Morris. She was 91 years old.

She is survived by seven children: Pamela (Brad) Schultz, Lindstrom, MN, Janet Utech, Minneapolis, MN, Terry (Jody Siemens) Utech, Hancock, MN, LuAnn (James) Gades, Wolverton, MN, Richard (Lenie) Utech, Chugiak, AK, Mitzy (Jack) Murphy, Graceville, MN and Julie (Richard) Utech-Galligan, Shakopee, MN; twelve grandchildren: Jacob Gades, Jordan (Samarah) Gades, Adam (Lindsey) Gades, Scott Murphy, Rachel Murphy, Michael (Karissa Kuschel) Murphy, Brittany Lemmerman, Tyler Lemmerman, Curtis Utech, Matthew Utech, Brad Utech, and Lindsay Utech; two great-granddaughters: Elora and Mira Gades; siblings: June Richardson, Joyce Wilkin, Arthur Christensen and Doris Anschutz, all of Windom, MN; two sisters-in-law: Sally Utech, Morris, MN and Marlene Utech, Plymouth, MN; and many nieces and nephews. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Stanley Utech, daughter-in-law, Sandy Utech, three sisters, Lorraine Hunter, Mildred Crowell, and Elizabeth Kerchner, one brother, LeRoy Christensen and six brothers-in-law, Darrell Utech, Larry Utech, Lee Wilkin, Donald Anschutz, Russell Hunter and Chet Richardson.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the funeral arrangements.