WOONSOCKET — Ronnie D. Uttecht, 83, of Woonsocket, left this world peacefully on Monday, February 12, 2024, at Good Samaritan Society-Miller, after a multi-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

His funeral service is set for 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, at Living Hope Alliance Church in Huron, with burial to follow at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery with military honors by the Alpena American Legion.

Visitation, with his family present, is from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 16, at Welter Funeral Home in Huron. A prayer service will begin at 6:30 p.m., on Friday evening at the funeral home.

Ronnie was born Dec. 25, 1940, to parents Carl and Bertha (Fastnacht) Uttecht at the home of his aunt and uncle near Wessington Springs. He lived his early years northeast of Alpena, where he attended country school. In 1958, he graduated from Alpena High School.
He served his country proudly, enlisting in the U.S. Army in January of 1959. Ronnie spent time at Ft. Hood and Ft. Belvoir, before being transferred to France and the 510th Engineer Company. While in France, he was schooled in Caterpillar tractors and graders. He built roads to Army supply units around the area and other projects. He received an honorable discharge in March 1962. Back in the States, he worked for Huron Sash and Door and began his lifelong career of farming.

Ronnie married Carol Ann Eddy on June 13, 1964, and lived on a farm northeast of Woonsocket, where they raised their two sons, David and Darrin, with a strong work ethic and appreciation for the land. Over time, they milked cows, raised hogs, and stock cows in addition to farming numerous crops. He especially enjoyed working with his John Deere tractors and Hereford cattle.

Ronnie was a member of the United Parish of Alpena and served on its board. He was an active member of the Alpena American Legion for many years and took great honor in reading the roll at Memorial Day services. He also served on boards for the Alpena Co-op Oil, Sanborn Telephone, Central Electric, and the board of the Warren Township for 49 years. He was an active bowler, competing in several leagues and tournaments with the regulars from Alpena and Huron. He loved to hunt pheasants, deer and elk, gathering an entourage of friends and family who enjoyed it as well.

He was proud of his boys and their family accomplishments. He was able to travel to St. Kitts to visit granddaughter Sam while she was in veterinary school and to Florida to visit granddaughter Lauren and Jesse. Other memorable trips were made to Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Alaska, and Niagara Falls.  

Survivors include his wife, Carol Ann, of Woonsocket; sons David (Angie) Uttecht of Huron, Darrin (Tangy) Uttecht of rural Woonsocket, sisters Karen (Lawrence) Kopfmann of Alpena, Dianna (Darrell) Neuharth of Alpena, a brother-in-law, Ivan Teveldal of Tulare. One sister-in-law Janet (John) Grunewaldt of Sioux Falls, grandchildren, Samantha (Kody) Kopfmann, Allison (Cole) Munger, Peyton and Weston Uttecht, Lauren (Jesse) Cameron, Andrew (Clara Macllravie Canas) Uttecht, great-grandchildren Sutton Uttecht, Kyer Kopfmann and Kaylor Kopfmann, Lawson Munger, many nieces and nephews and a host of cousins.

Predeceasing him were his parents, a sister Glenda, and a great-grandson, Krew Kopfmann.

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