Senator Utter

Hastings resident, Senator Dennis R. Utter, 72, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at Mary Lanning Memorial HealthCare, Hastings, Nebraska.

A Celebration of Life will be Friday, December 30, 2011; 11:00 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church, Hastings with Rev. Dr. William Nottage-Tacey officiating. A private burial will precede the services. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 29, 2011; 1:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the University of Nebraska Medical Center and will be used for pulmonary research.

Dennis was born on February 21, 1939 in Wheatland, Wyoming to Emerson and Ruth (Cochran) Utter. He graduated from Wheatland High School in 1957. He went on to study agriculture at the University of Wyoming, receiving his Bachelors degree in 1961. In 1963 he earned his Masters of Agricultural Economics from the University of Wyoming. On August 31, 1958 he married Kathryn Preuit of Waco, Nebraska at the Waco Methodist Church. Dennis started his banking career in McCook, Nebraska at McCook National Bank. While living in McCook, he served on the city council and was later elected Mayor. In 1978, Dennis and his family moved to Kenesaw and he was associated with Adams County Bank. He was honored to serve as president of the Nebraska Bankers Association from 1998 to 1999. He retired from Adams County Bank as president in 2001 and moved to Hastings. He remained an integral part of the bank, serving as Chairman of the Board at the time of his death. In 2008 he was elected to represent District 33 in the Nebraska Legislature. He enjoyed being in the Legislature and representing the constituents of District 33. He served as vice chair of the Revenue Committee and served on the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee. Dennis was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hastings. He was active in many civic and agricultural organizations. He enjoyed golfing, traveling and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother.

Survivors include:
Wife: Kathryn Utter - Hastings, NE
Children & Spouses: Mark & Ann Utter - Kenesaw, NE
Ward & Lynn Utter - Devon, PA
Denise & Lieutenant Colonel Chris Ott - Fort Leavenworth, KS
Grandchildren: Rachel Utter - Omaha, NE
Vincent Utter - Ames, IA
Andrew Utter - Devon, PA
Ellie Utter - Devon, PA
Daniel Ott - Fort Leavenworth, KS
Chloe Ott - Fort Leavenworth, KS