LaVern M. Utegaard

ASHLAND, Wis. - LaVern M. Utegaard, age 85, of Mellen, passed away Friday, Feb 9, 2018. at Memorial Medical Center in Ashland. LaVern was born Sept. 12, 1932, in Washburn, the daughter of Fred L. and Alty M. (McCulloch) Ledin.

She was a graduate of Washburn High School, class of 1950, and Northland College, class of 1965. On Aug. 5, 1967, she was united in marriage to Thomas F. Utegaard in Washburn. She was a homemaker and a beloved music teacher for the Mellen School District for over 26 years. She will forever be remembered for her Christmas program productions and directing many senior class plays. She also chaperoned many senior class trips.

She enjoyed playing cards, especially smear and going to the casino. She loved watching the Green Bay Packers and in her younger years she was an excellent golfer and bowler. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and could be seen on the Fourth of July float most every year. She loved animals and was very fond of her dog, Skeeter and cat, Mr. G.

Survivors include her children: Pamela Barnes, of Woodlands, Tex., Bryan (Lori) Lamerand, of Mellen, Tina (Chuck) Gilgen, of Mellen, Edward Ludwig, of Mellen, Kim (Scott) Garro, of Iron Belt, and Wayne Ludwig, of Iron Belt; 21 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; sisters, June (Elmer) Wilber and Evelyn (Bill) Gurske, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Thomas, on Jan. 18, 1992; brothers, David and George Ledin, and son-in-law, David Wohlgemuth.

A gathering of family and friends will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Mountain Funeral Home in Mellen.

Private family interment will take place in the Mellen Union Cemetery, Mellen.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Mountain Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Mellen and Ashland, Wis.

Online condolences for LaVern's family may be left at MountainFuneralHomes.com.