Lori Utsinger, 63, of Carlisle (formerly of the Hill of Zion area)

Mass of Christian Burial: Will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield. Burial will be in the Hill of Zion Cemetery, rural Orient. A luncheon will be held at the Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center following the burial. Father Phillip Bempong will officiate the service. The Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com. 

Rosary: Will be held at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. 

Family Visitation: The family will greet friends on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Memorials: May be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association. 

Lori Kaye (Ford) Utsinger, born on April 13, 1961, in Creston, Iowa, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Society in Indianola, Iowa, at the age of 63. She bravely battled early-onset Alzheimer's and left this world surrounded by the love of her family.

Lori’s life was a tapestry woven with laughter, adventure, and a deep love for those around her.

She met the first love of her life, John Joseph Utsinger, while he was stationed in California with the Marine Corps. Together, they started their family on April 15, 1983, and were blessed with two children, John Francis and Aimee May. They lived in California for their brief time together until his life was tragically cut short while serving his country.

Lori raised her two children outside of Orient, near the family homestead of Zion, surrounded by family and dear friends. She couldn’t have been prouder of them both—John for joining the Air Force and Aimee for becoming a high school teacher.

Lori loved adventure, basking in the sun on a beach, or feeling the wind in her hair on a motorcycle ride. She later found her perfect match in her second love, Jeff Saxton, who took her around the world and anywhere the Harley would go.

Her favorite times were spent with family—cooking, cuddling babies, tending to her flowers, and, of course, taking many girls’ trips to Des Moines. Lori’s greatest joy was becoming a grandma. She was double blessed with two granddaughters, Emma Jane and Hannah Jo, who were her pride and joy. The girls would sing, dance, and draw pictures at every visit to make Grandma smile and laugh. Emma loved Grandma Lori’s laugh, while Hannah adored how soft Grandma’s skin was.

Lori was preceded in death by her husband, John Joseph Utsinger; her parents, Kathleen Marie (Ward) and Ernest LeRoy “Junior” Ford; her sister-in-law, Ludy Ford; her brother-in-law, Charles Bailey; and many cherished aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Lori is now reunited with those she held dear.

Her memory lives on through her surviving family: her partner, Jeff Saxton; her son, John Francis Utsinger, and daughter-in-law, Jonatha; her daughter, Aimee May Marasco, son-in-law, Chris, and granddaughters, Emma and Hannah. Her brothers, Jeffrey (Lucy) Ford, Doug Ford, and Ernie (MaLinda) Ford, along with many nieces and nephews, will continue to celebrate her life and legacy.

Lori Kaye Utsinger’s spirit will be remembered for her kindness, her love of life, and the indelible mark she left on all who knew her. May she rest in peace, surrounded by eternal light and love.

May we all aspire to have a little wind in our hair, sand in our toes, and a lot of love in our lives—just like Lori did.