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Janice Estelle Sudbay Utter, 98, of Storm Lake died Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.
Memorial Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. Burial will be in Storm Lake Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will take place following the service until 7 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Caring Paws Rescue in Storm Lake at the following link: https://www.caringpawsstormlake.com/
Janice was born on May 26, 1928, in Beverly, Mass., to Halstead and Alice Smith Goodwin. She was raised in Beverly and graduated from Beverly High School in 1946. After graduation, Janice worked at the local telephone company in Salem, Mass. She was the oldest of 10 children and is survived by her youngest brother, Peter (Karen) Goodwin of Danvers, Mass.
Janice married John T. Sudbay, Jr. in 1952 and they moved to Denver, Colo. Over the years, they relocated several times, eventually settling in Storm Lake in 1958 and raising their five children: Patricia, John, Kathleen, Nancy and Tracey.
She married Richard Utter in 1973 and gained three more children: Rita, Randy and Ronda. She became a dedicated BV and Hawkeyes fan and spent many game days cheering from the stands.
Over the years, Janice worked in a number of downtown retail stores in Storm Lake. She loved clothes and fashion and appeared on several runways modeling clothes at various events. She also enjoyed working with antiques and thrift stores. Janice worked for several years as a teacher’s aide in the Storm Lake elementary schools and loved reading to children. To this day, many school children and parents remember her.
Janice had a history of volunteering with Faith, Hope & Charity, the BVRMC Hospital Auxiliary, 4-H and Girl Scout troops, and the SOS store, where she loved to shop.
She grew up on Massacheusetts beaches and taught all of her children how to swim and respect water. She loved to dance and was a great jitterbug partner! Music moved her soul and she would never miss a beat.
Janice will be remembered for her love of her family, golf, her adventurous spirit and playing on the floor with the grandkids and great-grand grandkids. Many people have mentioned that she was like a second mom to them. Comments about Janice sum up her character as classy, feisty, spirited, spunky, determined, stubborn and a “tell it like it is” personality!
Janice was preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings; John T. Sudbay, Jr.; Richard Utter; and her sons-in-law, Ronald Koth and Craig Hash.
Janice is lovingly survived by her children: Patricia Sudbay (FL), John T. (Cheri) Sudbay, III (FL), Kathleen Koth (MN), Nancy Sahr (IA), Tracey Hash (CO), bonus daughter Julie (Peter) Steinfeld (IA), Rita Utter (Les Rau) (CA), Randy (DeAnn) Utter (IA), Ronda Utter Hogan (Greg Janicek) (IA); grandchildren: Jason (Hailey), John T. Sudbay, IV (Theona), Adam (Sarah), Joey, Robert, Cody (Jordyn), Taylor, Trevor, Corey (Alicia), Todd (Nicole), Sarah (Matt), Morgan (Joseph), Justin (Carolina), Jenna (Rob), Jared; and numerous great-grandchildren with three new ones on the way.
