Jeanette passed away peacefully in Buffalo, MN on December 3, 2020, due to complications from a recent diagnosis of cancer. She passed away with her children by her side.
The family will hold a celebration of life service in honor of Jeanette, at a later date in spring 2021 in South Dakota. Jeanette’s final resting place will be with her husband Ted, at the Ortley Cemetery in Ortley, SD.
Jeanette was born on October 30th, 1945 to her parents Rose Ann and Reinhard Tesch in Webster, South Dakota. She was baptised at Zion Lutheran Church in Waubay, SD. Jeanette and her family lived on a farm north of Waubay. She spent her summers working at her family’s resort on Lake Minnewaska near her family’s farm. Jeanette went to Waubay Country School, then Waubay High School where she later met her husband Selmer (Ted) Utne at a Basketball game there.
Jeanette and Selmer (Ted) were united in marriage on April 4, 1964, at Zion Lutheran Church in Waubay. The couple made their home in Minneapolis, MN after marriage. To this union three children were born; Paul, Lisa, and Julie. Jeanette and Ted moved to Howard Lake, MN in the 1960’s where Jeanette worked as a school cook, at St. James Lutheran School for many years. She was a part of the Howard Lake Women’s Auxiliary, Bowling Leagues, and spent countless hours at the Howard Lake Fire Dept. with other fireman wives.
Jeanette and Ted relocated back to their home town of Waubay, SD to build their dream log cabin home on Blue Dog Lake, in 1993. She became a substitute school cook at the Waubay Public School. She enjoyed seeing students everyday, and she loved to use her cooking skills to keep everyone happy and full. Jeannette was apart of the Waubay’s Women’s Auxiliary, Bowling leagues, Waubay’s Senior Citizens Center as a cook, Nutrition Center in Webster as a cook, and many card leagues throughout the week.
Jeanette was known as a very generous, kind, and caring woman. Her house was always open to fisherman, hunters, family, and friends. She loved to have her house full of guests, made sure no one left hungry, and always made everyone feel welcome. Jeanette kept herself busy by doing many things she enjoyed. She loved cooking, baking, playing cards, Bingo, and driving to watch buffalo graze near her home. Jeanette also loved to go out fishing, attend her church’s bible study, travel with her sister, and receive phone calls from family and friends.
Jeanette will be forever loved and greatly missed by her son; Paul (Jodi) Utne of Howard Lake, MN, daughters; Lisa (Mark) Koller of Howard Lake, MN, and Julie (Darin Manthie) Utne of Annandale, MN. She will also be greatly missed and never forgotten by her 10 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, and her 2 great-grandchildren on the way. She leaves behind her sister; Linda (Pat) Lee of Sioux Falls, SD, Brother; Lawrence Tesch of Hot Springs, SD, and many other extended family members and friends.
Jeanette is preceded to death by her parents, husband, and brother.
“You may be gone from my sight, but you will never be gone from my heart. I may not be able to see your face, but I will always see your sweet smile. I may never hear your voice again, but you will forever echo in my soul.” — Henry van Dyke