On Tuesday, January 2, at 7 p.m., Merle Hanson, Winona’s favorite storyteller, will present some of his stories at the Blue Heron Coffeehouse, 162 West Second Street, as part of
Passed away peacefully May 2, 2021 surrounded by family at his home in Hugo, MN.
Michael was born to Kenneth and Jeane (Desmond) Utecht on September 26, 1946. He grew up in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and loved sports and outdoor activities. Mike was an avid water skier but what he really loved was teaching others. Mike spent as much time as he could on the water and taught hundreds of his family and friends how to ski. Skimming across the water on everything from slalom skis to saucers to a homemade pair of foot skis, Mike was a natural. In High School Mike used to chauffeur his brothers and sisters to school in his 56 Chevy Bel Air. Hollering “quit breathing” in the winter as the cars defrost system was not the best.