Ronnie D. Uttecht, 83, of Woonsocket, passed away on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, at Good Samaritan Society-Miller in Miller, after a several year battle with Alzheimer’s.  

His funeral services were held on Saturday, Feb. 17, at Living Hope Alliance Church in Huron. Burial followed at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery with military honors by the Alpena American Legion. Visitation with a prayer service was on Friday, Feb. 16, at Welter Funeral Home in Huron.

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.

Ronnie enlisted in the US 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 CAT 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. They milked cows, raised hogs and stock cows, and farmed numerous crops. He 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 Alpena Co-op Oil, Sanborn Telephone, Central Electric, and on the Warren Township board for 49 years. He was an active bowler, competing in several leagues and tournaments. He loved to hunt pheasants, deer and elk, gathering an entourage of friends and family. 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 vet school and to Florida to visit granddaughter, Lauren. Other memorable trips were made to Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Alaska, and Niagara Falls.

Ronnie was survived by his wife; children, David (Angie) of Huron, and Darrin (Tangie) of rural Woonsocket; sisters, Karen (Lawrence) Kopfmann and Dianna (Darrell) Neuharth, both of Alpena; brother-in-law, Ivan Teveldal of Tulare; sister-in-law, Janet (John) Grunewaldt of Sioux Falls; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Glenda; and great-grandson, Krew Kopfmann.

Philip Edward Schmidt, 81, of rural Plankinton, succumbed to a short battle with lung cancer, Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, at Aurora-Brule Care and Rehabilitation Center in White Lake.

Mass of Christian Burial was held, Friday, Feb. 16, at St. John Catholic Church in Plankinton. Burial followed at the Union Cemetery, rural Storla. Visitation was Thursday, at the church, with a prayer service and rosary. Arrangements were by Basham Funeral Services in Wessington Springs.

Philip was born Oct. 9, 1942, to Henry and Catherine (McCall) Schmidt in Mitchell. In 1948, the family moved to the farmstead, where he would live the rest of his life. He attended Woodmansee School until the eighth grade. His father passed away unexpectedly when Philip was 12. At that point, he took over the work on the family farm. He milked cows by hand and pitched hay to the stock cows before going to school every morning. He was the man of the house and helped his mother raise his three siblings. He attended high school in Lane and graduated in 1960. He took over the family farm in 1962. In 1965, Philip started milking cows by machine and continued for 47 years. 

He married Dorene Speck, on Aug. 24, 1968. To this union were born six children.  Philip was a voracious reader. He enjoyed learning new things and spending time with his grandchildren. Philip loved the land and took joy in the changing of the seasons. He enjoyed fishing at his pond and feeding and watching birds. In the pasture, he could often be found with his dog, Daisy, as one of his favorite pastimes was fencing.

Philip is survived by his children, Michelle (Todd) Karst of Plankinton, Nicolle (Jeff) Jennings of Marshall, Minn., Matthew (Darcie) Schmidt of Kimball, Jonathon (Casey) Schmidt of Plankinton, Catherine Schmidt of Wessington Springs, and Elizabeth (Justin) Morrison of Mitchell; eighteen grandchildren; one great-grandson; sisters, Mary Potter of Rapid City and Margaret Koenig of Fairfax; sisters-in-law, Cheryl Schmidt of Plymouth, Minn., and Linda (Alan Baysinger) Clark of Huron; brother-in-law, Larry (Sheila) Speck of Billings, Mont.; many nieces and nephews; and his good friend, Dina “Pudge” Shefner.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Dorene Schmidt; parents, Henry and Catherine Schmidt; father-in-law, Raymond Speck; mother-in-law, Edna Speck; brother, Thomas Schmidt; brothers-in-law, Lloyd Potter, Leo Koenig, and Jim Clark.

Nerissa H. Parce, 66, of Letcher, died Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at her home in Letcher. 

There was a visitation on Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Will Funeral Chapel.

Nerissa H. Parce, daughter of Antonio Uy Cho Ling and Susan (Pineda) Uy Cho Ling, was born Feb. 3, 1958, in Bacolod City, Philippines. Nerissa met her future husband, Eugene Parce, in 1986 in Anaheim, Calif. The couple was united in marriage on Feb. 17, 1986, in Santa Anna, Calif. The couple lived in California for a time before moving to Letcher in 1994. While in Letcher, Nerissa was employed at Walmart in Mitchell for 21 years, retiring in 2023.

Nerissa is survived by her husband, Eugene Parce of Letcher; two daughters, Jennifer (Adam) Carpenter of Hartford and Jasmine (Evan) Steemken of Brandon; three grandsons; and a sister, Betty Hinayan of Bacolod City, Philippines.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and a sister.