John W. "Jack" Utrie

The tap root of the UTRIE left his earthly confines after a life lived with integrity, conviction and love. Jack wrote his own obituary but the family felt the need for emphasis and expansion to reflect his 91 years.

I was born December 2nd 1933 at home in Juneau, WI to Wendel N Utrie and Eugenia (Becker) Utrie. I was told that my dad ran down Main Street declaring “I have a son named Jack”.

My early years were spent in Juneau, WI. At age 4 I won the best of homecoming parade wearing shorts sporting a sign challenging “Bring on Joe Lewis.”

Following moves to Fond du Lac, WI and Waupun, WI my family returned to Juneau, WI where I worked in the family business, The Hotel Juneau. I learned to make beds, pour People’s Beer without foam and play poker well enough to hold seats for the regulars. I was very active in sports winning 9 letters in football, baseball and basketball. I turned down an opportunity with the Yankees to attend college after graduating valedictorian of my high school class in 1952.

Marquette University (Go Warriors) prepared me for medical school. I was awarded an M.D degree from Marquette Medical School in 1959.

While in medical school I married a fantastic woman Patricia Paciotti in 1957. What a gal. She made my life so much more meaningful, exciting, and diverse with her positive outlook on life!

Together we had seven wonderful and successful children resulting in 21 exceptional grandkids and now 7 great grandchildren.

After medical school we took off to Saint Paul, MN for my internship year at Charles Miller hospital followed by 2 1/2 years in the US public health service division of Indian Health at Red Lake, MN - a great growing experience.

The next stop on our journey was to Minneapolis, MN for my OB\GYN residency. This program was combined with the University of Minnesota hospital- Fargo, ND program.

Three years later with four children in tow, we headed to Green Bay to start practice at the new Beaumont clinic; a very fulfilling 35 year career and three more children enriched our lives. These were busy times. Our life in Green Bay. WI was interrupted for a year when we relocated the family to Rhinelander, WI as a matter of conscience. This was a difficult time which challenged our faith. It is a decision I do not regret.

Always interested in medical advances, I introduced new techniques to Green Bay including fetal monitoring, GYN cryosurgery, radio surgery, office urodynamics, and the first GYN laparoscopy. Together with Doctors Ray Murphy, Fred Sehring and George Tyler we founded the maternal high risk program at Saint Vincent hospital in the early 1970s.

It was my honor to serve as a diplomat and fellow of the American Board of OB\GYN. Chairman of the OB\GYN department at Saint Vincent's hospital, president of Brown County medical society, president, and treasurer of the Wisconsin State OB\GYN society, founding member of the American Urogynecology Society and the Wisconsin Society for Perinatal Care. I was a proud advocate in the pro-life movement.

Retiring after 41 years in medicine was difficult as one misses the wonderful and loyal patients, colleagues and those who work with you in the hospital and office. This was tempered by the pleasure I received volunteering my services at the Green Bay Community Clinic as a GYN physician.

My life enabled me to enjoy many activities: woodworking, designing solutions from PVC pipe, skiing, hunting, fishing, competitive sports, and spending time at our cabin in Mercer, WI. Sixty years sponsoring a spring fishing trip at Utrie’s Utopia in Mercer, WI for my relatives and friends was the highlight of many May weeks. Lasting memories were made in Wisconsin's Northwoods.

Stimulated by Pat's enthusiasm for life and boundless curiosity we traveled extensively. We travelled to Europe, Australia, Ireland, Austria, and Great Britain. Later we explored the USA wearing out 2 minivans. We traveled to Alaska 5 times including two complete driving excursions. We drove along the entire Lewis and Clark Trail, Route 66, The Pony Express Route, many Civil War landmarks, countless Florida escapes and the Outlaw Trip to New Mexico never missing a roadside sign or museum. These adventures were part of my magical life with Patricia. Later as we stayed closer to home, Pat’s passion project of visiting every courthouse in Wisconsin was realized. The most important part of my life was family. “Family first” was our motto; what a blessing.

I am foremost survived by my loving wife of 69 years, Patricia.

The branches of my tree include: John (Kim Barnas), Tony (Elaine Motl), Sara Ruth (Todd Jadin), Paul (Robin Goldsmith), Nick (Michele), Elizabeth (Sean Gibbons) and Carla (Ken Sumka). Grandchildren: Briana Utrie-Mayer (Guy Mayer), and Dominick (Kayla) Utrie; Jacob and Jaclyn (Ryan Bodden) Utrie; Hanna Jadin, Kate (Michael O’Reilly Gilliam), Dante Jadin (Olivia Johnson), Tessa Jadin (Hunter Thiel), Cassian (Frances), Luke (Lynn), Marc and Sean Utrie; Emma (Philip Kocha), David, and Sophia Utrie; Olivia, Jack, Amelia, and Joseph Gibbons; Abigail and Bennett Sumka. Great grandchildren: Marick, Navy, Stella, Gianna, Parker, Clay, and Grace.

I am further survived by my four siblings who have maintained a lifelong connection: James (Kay), Eugene (Caroline), Mary Terese (Jim Richburg) and David (Andrea).

My parents Wendel and Eugenia and my in laws Orlando and Ruth Paciotti prepared the way for my next journey.

The family would like to thank Bishop Robert Morneau, Father Thomas Reynebeau and Umang Gautam, MD for being present and shepherding Jack through the last leg of life’s journey.

Family and friends may visit at Resurrection Catholic Parish, 333 Hilltop Drive, Allouez, on Friday, April 25, from 5-7pm. Visitation will continue Saturday, at the church, from 9:00am until 10:30am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am with Fr. Tom Reynebeau officiating. The mass will be livestreamed at gbres.org/live and burial will be in Allouez Catholic Cemetery.

A special thank you to his care team Angie, Chelsea and Amy Jo for their loving care and the comfort they provided.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jack's name may be directed to:

St. Gianna Clinic: https://checkurl.ai/?c=www.stgiannaclinic.com%2F$2d0c

Mercer Library: https://checkurl.ai/?c=mercerpubliclibrary.org%2F$fd30