Hastings senator dies

Sen. Dennis R. Utter of Hastings died Dec. 27 due to health complications.

Elected in 2008 to serve District 33, Utter was a former city council member and mayor of McCook. He served on the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee and as vice chairperson of the Revenue Committee.

Utter played a key role in the Commission of Industrial Relations reform efforts undertaken by the Legislature in 2011. A retired banker, Utter also focused on rural economic development issues and sponsored an attempt to abolish the state treasurer’s office in 2010.

Speaker Mike Flood of Norfolk said Utter would be missed by his fellow senators.

“Sen. Utter was a true gentleman, a man who cared about his family, his community and our state,” Flood said.

Utter, 72, is survived by his wife, Kathryn and three children: Mark, Ward and Denise.