Sen. Dennis R. Utter of Hastings died Dec. 27 due to health complications.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s office in 2010.<\/p>\n
Speaker Mike Flood of Norfolk said Utter would be missed by his fellow senators.<\/p>\n
\u201cSen. Utter was a true gentleman, a man who cared about his family, his community and our state,\u201d Flood said.<\/p>\n
Utter, 72, is survived by his wife, Kathryn and three children: Mark, Ward and Denise.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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