March 22, 2025
Patricia Kelly Utz was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and friend who left this world on Saturday, March 22, 2025, to be with her heavenly father and the loved ones who passed before her. She was the fifth child born to Carl and Viva Utz and grew up with her siblings, Doris, Jerome, Ronald, and Juel, in Old Etna on Sawyers Bar Road. She graduated from Etna High School in 1954 and is the last of her family’s generation.
Pat left Etna after graduation to attend junior college in Sacramento. To fund school she began working at a bar owned by a kind, elderly woman named Thelma. They formed a lifelong friendship with Pat helping raise Thelma’s great-grandson Shane Nelson. Pat also worked for Doc Scranton’s veterinary service where she learned how to take care of farm animals, and for several decades, she raised livestock and was an entrepreneur. She was a canner at Campbell’s Soup in Stockton, raised cattle and pigs on a small property in Elk Grove, and designed and manufactured dog collars she sold to independent pet shops in the San Francisco and Sacramento Areas before returning to Siskiyou County. She had a house built on her land in Montague where she raised pigs and goats and sold her custom blends of sausages and handmade birdhouses. She was happy to provide piglets to 4Hers. Maintaining the ranch became too much so she sold it and moved to Yreka. Now in her 70s, Pat next worked for Patricia Grieb at her barbeque restaurant in Yreka. Another life-long friendship was formed.
Pat was fun-loving, spirited, and enjoyed life to the fullest. In her eyes, rules were meant to be broken, as she did on occasion with friends by her side and a sparkle in her eye. Her larger-than-life character grew long-lasting friendships wherever she resided. Phil and Kristy Camero of Copco Lake were the most recent. Phil supported Pat in many essential ways and looked after her well-being over the last few years. Pat and her closest friend, Pat Grieb, were known as ‘The Pats’ in their Copco Lake community, where they resided for many years and were actively involved with the Community Center and Fire Board.
Her hobbies included camping, fishing, playing cards, gardening, raising farm animals, and playing darts. She was always on the go with a new idea in her pocket. Pat traveled through life on her terms, accompanied by creativity, hard work, and determination.
In addition to her close friends, she leaves behind Caroline Utz, a niece dear to her heart and who holds the end of the Utz family name. Other immediate nieces and nephews include Sandy Langley of San Diego, Linda Short of Bend, OR, Ron West of North Dakota, Jerry West (Darci) of Etna, and Sheryl Wilkins (Rick) of Greenview, along with many great nieces and nephews who also loved her and who will forever cherish their one-of-a-kind memories made with Aunt Pat. She liked to remind at least one great niece that she was her “GREAT” Aunt Pat. She found joy and entertainment in interacting with 4th generation family members and is missed by all.
At Pat’s request, there will be no services.
If you would like to donate in her memory, please consider the good work at Madrone Hospice in Yreka.
