Ernest “Blaine” Utech
Blaine Utech was born to Robert and Alice Utech on Sept 22, 1966 in Dauphin, MB. He was raised in Winnipegosis most of his life. His parents were Ministers in Winnipegosis, they moved to Portage la Prairie in 1985 and pastored a little church on the corner of 5th Street and Lorne Avenue.
Blaine met his wife Ruth in 1992, started dating and later married in April 24, 1993 at his parents church. Blaine took on not only a new wife but four young women to help raise as his own. He loved his little family and would do anything for them. He moved with Ruth and Jacqueline to Morden where he became a truck driver and started traveling America and Canada. He loved driving with Ruth when they ran doubles then with his dog Misty.
He loved to talk on the phone for hours as he drove across the country, he enjoyed sharing his trucking experiences and stories with us all. He started with Portage Transport when he moved back to RM of Portage. Blaine really loved and respected the drivers, and staff of Portage Transport and has many fond stories of his experiences on the road. He drove truck right up until his diagnosis last year, and he missed it every day.
Blaine loved to make pierogies, go fishing, sit by the campfire, ride his motorcycle with his wife, and go camping with his family. Blaine was a man with a huge heart and loved to help anyone who needed. He fought a fast and furious battle with cancer and he and his family are forever thankful for all the support from the doctors and nurses of cancer care.
He is predeceased by his father Robert, mother Alice, and sister Sharon. He leaves to mourn his loss wife Ruth, daughters; Carrie, Sabrina, Natalie, and Jacqueline, their spouses Kevin, Jeff, Gordie, and P.J., also his numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. His sisters, brothers, numerous nieces and nephews and his close friends. He will be lovingly missed and remembered.
Should friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations would be greatly appreciated at Cancer Care Services, 318 E Sask. Ave, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8
Viewing and visitation will be held at Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Rd. S., Portage la Prairie on Thursday, April 13 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 14 at 2:00 p.m. at the Community Fellowship Church, Newton, MB. Follow provincial road 331, turn south at Newton for five kilometres.
Messages of condolences can be made online at www.omegafuneralhome.com.