Paul Albert Utterback

Paul Albert Utterback, age 75, of Wood River, Nebraska, formerly of Arapahoe, Nebraska passed away on April 10, 2010 at the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society Home in Wood River, Nebraska from the progression of the mind-stealing disease of dementia. He was born on April 1, 1935 at the family farm near Holbrook, Nebraska to J. Thomas and Gladys (Reitz) Utterback He served in the Army and received an honorable medical discharge. After driving a truck for years, he took over the family farm where he worked until he retired. Traveling with his friend Ann brought him great joy and he could name almost any highway in the United States that he had traveled. He remembered everything about where he had been and could provide great detail of all that he had seen. He especially loved to visit & tease his four grandchildren who weren't shy about teasing him right back; this is how he showed his love and affection for everyone. In 1957, he married Dorene Shattuck and to this union were born 4 children, Jeff, Terry, Denise and Jay. Their son, Terry tragically passed away one week before his first birthday. They later divorced. Paul spent many years with his dear friend, Ann Newell who passed away in 2002 from cancer. He is survived by his children: Jeff Utterback, Arapahoe, Denise & husband Chris Petersen, Sandy, Utah, Jay & wife Melinda Utterback, Kearney, Nebraska 4 Grandchildren, Jasmine (Nathan Sturges) Utterback, Samuel Utterback and Benjamin & Jenna Petersen; Great-granddaughter, Railey Ann Sturges; Sisters: Roberta & husband Glenn Hinton of Arapahoe, Nebraska SaraMae Walker of Hayes Center, Nebraska Irma & husband Lloyd Pfeiffer of Arapahoe, Nebraska Preceded in death by his parents; son, Terry Jay; brothers Gerald, James, Wayne Utterback and sister Darlene Utterback; brother-in-law, Charlie Walker. Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com Memorial services will be held at First United Methodist Church in Arapahoe, Nebraska on Friday, April 16, 2010 at 11:00 am with Rev. Stan Murdoch of First Baptist Church in Kearney officiating. Private family inurnment will be at the Arapahoe Cemetery, Arapahoe, Nebraska. Wenburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.