Florence Utley

Florence Helen Utley, 88, of Iola, Kansas, died Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at Windsor Place in Iola. Florence was born March 26, 1924, in Nobles County, Minnesota, the eighth of thirteen children born to August and Margaret (Froham) Lange. She grew up in the rural Luverne, Minnesota area. On May 29, 1943, Florence married Marvin F. Utley in Ivanhoe, Minnesota. They farmed in Minnesota and South Dakota before moving north of Gas, Kansas in 1959. She worked for Iola Deluxe Cleaners before working for 28 years for IMP Boats in Iola. After she retired from IMP, she operated a daycare center for 6 years. Mr. Utley preceded her in death on January 7, 1998, and she moved from LaHarpe to Iola later that year. The Utley's enjoyed camping and belonged to the 76 Wheelers Campers Club for 10 years. She was active in the LaHarpe Softball and Baseball Association while her children were growing up and served on the LaHarpe City Council for 12 years. She served as president of the Iola Senior Center and was instrumental in starting the senior dances. Florence enjoyed traveling, bus trips, going to casinos and playing cards every afternoon at the Senior Center until her health failed. SURVIVORS: Her 6 Children: Twin sons, Larry Utley & wife, Sharon and Jerry Utley & companion, Janice Oberg all of Iola, KS, Carol Wilson of Texarkana, AR, Steve Utley & wife, Shirley of LaHarpe, KS, Duane Utley & wife, Virginia of Piqua, KS, and Judy Johnson of Gas, KS 3 Brothers: Bob Lange & Rodney Lange both of Luverne, Minnesota and Donald Lange of Adrian, Minnesota 11 Grandchildren and numerous great and great-great grandchildren Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin, granddaughter Donna Wilson, sons-in-law Alan A.J. Johnson and Roy Wilson, great-granddaughter Rachael Beard and siblings, Esther Utley, Edna Goembel, Evelyn Bruesder, Raymond Lange, Violet Cauwels, Vivian Cauwels, Lloyd Lange, Fern Werkman and Joyce Mormann. VISITATION: 5:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. FUNERAL SERVICE: 2:00 p.m., Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. BURIAL: LaHarpe Cemetery, LaHarpe, Kansas MEMORIAL CHOICES: Iola Senior Center or Allen County Home Health Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com .