STOUGHTON - Theora O. “Teddy” Utke, age 96, was called to her heavenly home while surrounded by family at Stoughton Hospital, on Feb. 7, 2023.

Theora was born on April 18, 1926, to Elmer and Lila (Cuff) Hare in Markesan, Wis., and was one of eight children. After one year at Oshkosh State Teachers College, she married Howard G. Utke on March 23, 1946.

In addition to being a homemaker, Theora worked for Oscar Mayer, Topp’s Inn, the DeForest Area School District, Wisconsin Cheesman, and Evco Plastics. After retirement, she worked part-time for the Kingston - Dalton State Bank, and Columbia County Respite Care. She also provided childcare, gardened and maintained an orchard.

Theora enjoyed several artistic hobbies including, painting, rosemaling, quilting, knitting, sewing, and playing piano and accordion. She also enjoyed reading, writing stories, traveling, studying history and the Bible. She especially loved spending time with family and friends.

She routinely demonstrated how to serve others, finding ways to actively serve in each of the congregations she was part of over the years. Theora had been a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Rosemaling Association of Wisconsin. She also volunteered at the Stoughton Opera House and for other organizations.

Theora understood the value of education and was a lifelong learner. She attended Mackford Prairie and Belle Fountain Grade Schools. She attended high school in Pardeeville and Montello before graduating from Cambria High School. In addition to the Oshkosh Teachers college, she also took classes at UW Madison.

Theora is survived by two children, Jane Smith (Dennis) of Stoughton and Wayne Utke (Cheryl) of Waunakee; four grandchildren, Lindsey Smith-Fass (Brian Fass), Christopher Smith (Makenna), Lauren Schroeder (Scott) and Rachel Fricke (Daniel); her sister, Eleanor Mueller; and sisters-in-law, Joyce Hare, Betty Hare and DeLoris Utke.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Lila Hare; son, Larry Utke; former husband, Howard Utke; stepsister, Marvel Dillie; brothers, Leland Hare, Maurice Hare, Willis Hare, Lester Hare, and Douglas Hare; sisters-in-law, Mary Hare, Ruth Hare, Breeze Ann Hare and Dorothy Schepp; and brothers-in-law, Frederick Mueller, Floyd Schepp, Raymond Utke and Floyd Utke.

A visitation will be held at RISEN SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5001 Holscher Road, McFarland, from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, followed by a Christian funeral service with Pastor Joshua Janke presiding. Theora will be laid to rest at the Windsor Congregational Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 5001 Holscher Road, McFarland, WI 53558 (http://www.risensaviorlutheran.org/), or Institutional Ministries, 1833 Executive Dr., Suite 101B, Oconomowoc, WI 53066 (https://im.life/). Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Stoughton

Funeral & Cremation Care

1358 Highway 51 N. @ Jackson St.

(608) 873-4590

Theora O. "Teddy" Utke

April 18, 1926 - February 07, 2023

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