Lois M. Utter, 89 died December 30, 2020. She was undergoing cancer treatment at Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, SD. Lois was born on December 14, 1931 in Mobridge, SD to George and Nora Pekelder.

Lois grew up in Wakpala, SD. Her summers were spent on their family homestead near the Missouri River, 16 miles from Wakpala. She loved this time with her family. Her father would fish and garden. Her mom would can the vegetables from the garden. Lois and her sister and brothers would play by the river.

Lois attended High School at Plainview Academy (7^th Day Adventist) in Redfield, SD, and graduated in 1949. Following graduation, she enrolled in college at Union College, a 7^th Day Adventist College in Lincoln, NE.  She graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Business. She worked at the Soil Conservation Office at the Corson County Court House and this is where she met Vernon Utter who was working in the Register of Deeds office. They were united in marriage in 1954.  Lois also worked at McIntosh Post Office. After her children were raised, Lois served as the City Finance Officer for the City of McIntosh and worked on important projects such as the bond project to get new water wells and sewer for the city.

Lois was an active member of American Legion Auxiliary serving as President and in almost every other office.  She also served as the District Auxiliary President. In addition to her involvement in the Auxiliary, she was also a member of the Wild Life Club and the Community Club.

She was very proud to be a McIntosh Tiger. She loved sports and would rarely miss a basketball game at the high school. Lois also loved watching the Vikings and Chicago Bulls play on TV. Lois had the opportunity to travel with her nephew Roland Ritter and sister Lenora to watch a Chicago Bulls game.

Lois’ favorite place was her garden. She also loved visiting with her neighbors and friends. Family weekends were often spent fishing, at the farms of family members, picking chokecherries and other berries. She loved baking chocolate chip cookies and salad oil buns, canning pickles, and making jelly. Later in life, her joy came from visiting with family, friends, playing cards, and putting puzzles together.

In addition to her parents, Lois was preceded in death by her husband Vernon, her sister Lenora Ritter and her brothers Harold Smith and Vernon Pekelder.  Surviving are Lois’ five children, Gay Daubert of Rapid City, SD; Fonda Teske and her husband Ed of Lehigh Acres, FL; Dwight Utter and Deb Trullinger of McIntosh, SD; Susan Utter of Rapid City, SD; and NeEtta and her husband Aaron of Omaha, NE.  Lois also has six grandchildren, George Daubert, Harrisburg, PA, Joyce Daubert, Rapid City, SD, Travis Blotsky, New Orleans, LA, Tera Blotsky, Ft. Myers, FL, Madison Gillespie, Omaha, NE, Austin Gillespie, Omaha, NE, and three great-grandchildren: Lucas and Logan Dodd, and Leila Daubert of Rapid City, SD.

Because of the rural nature of the community, Lois was considered a mother by so many other children offering her home to other kids who needed a place to stay due to weather or school activities. She was always involved in school and community activities, including FHA, 4H & American Junior Auxiliary.

Lois’ legacy that she left to her children, grandchildren, and all who knew her was the gift of loving others.

A private family service will be held at 10 a.m. on January 9, 2021, at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD. A public burial service will be held at the McIntosh Cemetery at 11:45 a.m. Those who wish to remember Lois can make gifts to her favorite organizations, the Veteran’s Home in Fort Mead, SD, the McIntosh American Legion Auxiliary, The City of McIntosh, or the McIntosh School.

A Celebration of Life service will be held later in the year.

The Funeral Service will be livestreamed through Lois’s obituary on our website www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com.

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