Lydia J. 'L. J.' Utz
HALSTEAD - Lydia J. "L. J." Utz, 91, passed from
this life Friday (June 5, 2009) in Halstead.
She was born on Sept. 23, 1917, in Great Bend to Frank E.
and Lydia F. (Pratt) Long. They preceded her in death.
The family briefly lived in Scott City and then moved to
Newton, where L. J. resided until 2003, when she moved to Halstead to live with
her sister Sondra and husband, Dr. Frank H. Chesky.
She entered Halstead Health and Rehabilitation in December
2007 and resided there until her death.
On July 26, 1936, L. J. married Max F. Utz in Hutchinson. He
preceded her in death in 1999.
L. J. loved meeting and talking to new and old friends. For
many years, she worked for a local optometrist. Eventually, she opened her own
L. J.'s Yarn Shoppe in the Ripley Hotel. When it was scheduled to be torn down,
she moved the shop to her home on East Broadway in Newton. She taught many
Newton residents to knit and crochet. She was especially proud of teaching
several Girl Scout troops and 4-H groups various forms of needlework. She
collected character dolls and teddy bears and was a member of the Doll Club of
Kansas.
She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the
Ladies Auxiliary of the United Transportation Union.
After moving to Halstead, she volunteered at The Neighbor's
Store, a charitable resale shop.
She is survived by her sister Sondra Chesky and husband,
Frank, of Halstead; nephews, Robert Chesky and Tyler Chesky, both of Halstead;
nieces, Sonya Hove and husband, Rick, of Durham, N.C., and Laurel Chesky of
Austin, Texas; and grand-nieces and grand-nephews, Andrew, Meagan and Mark
Hove, and Tirzah, Devin and Willow Chesky.
A book signing will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at
Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton.
Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First
Christian Church in Newton. The Rev. Gary Bell will preside.
Private family inurnment will be conducted.
Memorials are suggested to Caring Hands Humane Society or
The Neighbor's Store of Halstead in care of the funeral home.
Friends may sign the guest book online at
www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.
1917 - 2009 (91 years)