Karlene Grace Utter
Kay Utter, a loving and generous-hearted soul, lifted off Dec. 27, 2025.
Kay, a loving and generous-hearted soul, lifted off Dec. 27. She was born Karlene Rutherford to Grace (Reinbold) of Davenport, Washington and L.W. Rutherford of Britannia Beach, British Columbia. In Yakima, Kay grew up in an apple orchard with her brother Ron and graduated from West Valley High.
Kay furthered her education with a BS from Pacific Lutheran University, followed by medical technology studies at Tacoma General Hospital, where she met her husband, Gary Utter.
Married in 1968, Kay and Gary went on to have many adventures, moving and traveling across the United States, building three homes, and renovating eight in four states.
Kay worked professionally as a medical laboratory technologist across many medical facilities in several states. Sociable and kind, Kay made friends wherever she worked and lived, many of whom she kept in contact with for over 50 years.
Together, Kay and Gary raised two children: Mason, of Moses Lake, married to Amy (Jones) and Mary of Melbourne, Australia, married to Dan Price. Kay’s nurturing was expansive to her extended family and her children's friends, whom she loved as her own. Kay had a special affection for her grandson, Sage Utter, and great-granddaughter June Pettey.
Kay’s passions included gardening, quilting, reading and fostering relationships, whether with her large extended family or women’s fellowship groups, which fed her deep spiritual life. An avid quilter, Kay made over 50 quilts for family and friends, and as a gifted, creative seamstress, she designed and fixed anything from theater costumes and wedding dresses to motorcycle pants.
An early retirement afforded her the opportunity to study with the Master Gardener Program in Moses Lake and Ocean Shores, where her love of nature, adventure, travel and supporting environmental and humanitarian causes grew.
Kay will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. A celebration of her life will be held in early summer 2026. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her name to The Nature Conservancy or PBS.