Lois "Bunny" Utzinger

In Loving Memory of Lois “Bunny” Utzinger August 23, 1930 – August 7, 2017 Lois (“Bunny”) passed away peacefully on August 7, 2017 -- about a month shy of celebrating her 65th wedding anniversary to the love of her life, Dr. Adolph “Utz” Utzinger. Bunny was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Born and raised in Wisconsin Dells, Bunny was the sole child of Clarence and Bessie Platt. She loved to tell stories of working at the family ice cream stand as a little girl. Cones were only a nickel, and as a ten-year-old she was allowed to work the cash register and even sell cigarettes! Her childhood was simple and modest, but Clarence and Bessie instilled within Bunny an appreciation of education and a strong work ethic. Bunny and Utz met on a blind date on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1951, when Utz had a 2-day pass from his stint in the Army. They married on September 13, 1952. Bunny taught K-12 in a one room schoolhouse while Utz finished his term in the Army and completed dental school at Marquette University. Bunny loved teaching -- even though her classes usually had at least 40 students of varying grade levels. “No Child Left Behind” had a very personal meaning to Bunny throughout her teaching career and motherhood. After Utz graduated from dental school, the couple moved to Wheat Ridge, Colorado where “Dr. Utz” established his practice on Wadsworth Boulevard, which was a dirt road when they arrived in the area. At about the same time, Bunny gave birth to their first of five sons, Thomas, on July 4, 1957. Timothy was next to be born on November 28, 1958, followed by Terry on August 1, 1961, Todd on March 23, 1963 and Theodore (Tedd) on February 11, 1965. With five sons, Bunny never let her love of education fade. From when Tom entered kindergarten in 1964 to when Tedd graduated from high school in 1983, Bunny devoted thousands of hours to volunteering as a “teacher’s aide,” “homeroom mother,” and office assistant at Maple Grove Elementary, Manning Junior High, and Wheat Ridge Senior High School – some years at all three schools. “Go Grizzlies! Go Mustangs! Go Farmers!” She was active in the PTA and even served as president along with Utz. After countless bake sales, sporting events, school assemblies, and faculty luncheons, Bunny knew every teacher, school administrator, custodian and, yes, the “cafeteria lady” by first and last name. All five sons eventually learned (sometimes the hard way) that if they ever misbehaved at school or failed to put forth their best effort, Bunny would know even before they got home. As if raising five boys were not enough, Bunny also was by Utz’ side – literally – for most of his 43 years as a dentist. For several years she worked “just part time” as his receptionist one or two days a week. As her boys got older, Bunny transitioned to working full time as Utz’ receptionist/office manager for about 25 years before the two retired together. “Utz and Bunny” – they were a team. Just as surely as Salt is alongside Pepper, rarely would anyone encounter one of them without the other at their side. Together, they enjoyed collecting antiques, Native American art, dolls, clocks, glassware . . . well you know the story. Oh, and or course, for years there were the American Britany Spaniels. Numerous show champions and field champions, several “dual champions” that excelled both at show and in the hunting demonstrations. There was even “Rip” – best in breed for the entire country in 1963. Truth be told, the field dog trials in desolate, windblown dust bowls with the constant din of barking dogs and swirling odors of horse manure and Porta-Potties were what Utz enjoyed; Bunny enjoyed them mostly because she loved Utz. That’s not to say Bunny didn’t love dogs. She did. She helped deliver numerous litters of puppies in the “whelping box” that took up a corner of the laundry room. She mixed “puppy formula” as the pups were weaned, and served up more bowls of dog chow than Kellogg’s did bowls of corn flakes. But dogs weren’t enough for Bunny’s five boys. At times, corners of the house, garage or backyard were home to fish, rabbits, snakes, ferrets, lizards, rats, mice, gerbils, guinea pigs, turtles, toads, tadpoles and frogs, crayfish, hermit crabs, baby robins or magpies, chipmunks and ground squirrels, a tarantulas and scorpions, and even a three-foot alligator and an injured Great Horned Owl that was rehabbed and returned to the wild. Just imagine the zoning ordinance and game & fish violations authorities could have pinned on Bunny! To say Bunny welcomed all such creatures with open arms would be a stretch. While Bunny rarely said “no” she almost always said “it’s up to you to feed and clean up after _________.” (Insert critter of choice.) But above all else, Bunny was a people-person. She loved visiting with patients, neighbors, friends and family – even passersby. That’s why the last few years have been particularly difficult to witness as Bunny lost her hearing and much of her ability to participate in conversations. (She only agreed to hearing aids about a year ago after countless earlier interventions failed.) Fortunately, Bunny found comfort in her many fond memories even as life’s challenges became more daunting. Although Bunny didn’t quite make it to their 65th anniversary, we know that her passing was peaceful and that the last words she heard were “I love you” from Utz. Bunny is preceded by: Parents – Clarence and Bessie Platt Sons – Thomas & Timothy She is survived by: Husband of 65 years (close enough), Utz Son and Daughter-in-law – Terry and Deborah Son and Daughter-in-law – Todd and Barbara Son and Daughter-in-law – Tedd and Lee Ann Grandchildren – Justin Eisenach, Lisa Spears (husband Scott), Jessica Utzinger, Katie Utzinger, Michael Utzinger, Patrick Utzinger and Claire Utzinger Great Grandchildren – Jett Spears and Gunner Spears A celebration of Bunny’s life will be on August 10, 2017, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at School House Kitchen & Libations, 5660 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada, Colorado 80002. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bunny’s name to the Denver Dumb Friends League at www.ddfl.org.