Joann E. Utecht

Joann Utecht, 92, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

She was born on December 5, 1933 to Harvey and Eldora (Harder) Woller. She graduated from Merrill Senior High School and worked for thirty years for the former ACSC – USDA Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service in Lincoln County.

She married Charles Utecht on October 3, 1953, and celebrated 57 years of marriage until his death in 2010.

Survivors include her children Debra (John) Matuszak, Steven Utecht, and Timothy (Lisa) Utecht, as well as her grandchildren Krista (Scot) Ward, Jenna Hanson, Ben Utecht, and Rachel Utecht, and great-grandchildren Cole (Madison) Hanson, Callie Hanson, and Elizabeth Ward. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Donald Kopplin, together with many nieces and nephews. Joann was predeceased by her siblings Vernon Woller and his wife Ethel; Mavis Voelz and her husband Wilbert; and Carol Kopplin. She was further predeceased by her grandson-in-law, Todd Hanson, and sister-in-law Lois Henrich Weckwerth.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. Rev. Scott Gustafson will officiate. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:00 A.M. Wednesday at the church.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation, Merrill, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com