Utt, Carol Kay (nee Staten), baptized into the hope of Christ's resurrection, Friday, January 16, 2026.

Beloved wife of the late Richard Lee Utt; devoted mother of Mike (Paula) Utt and Kathy (Brad) Klages; cherished grandmother of Michael (Katie) Utt, Corey Smith (Gabrielle), Megan (John) Gibson, Amanda (Joe) Venetis, Hannah Smith (Christopher), and Kaden Klages; Casey and Tyler Klages; loving great grandmother of Ava, Aliyah, Harper, Shanley, Kenna Kay, Everleigh, and Blakely; dear sister of Butch Staten; dear aunt, cousin and friend to many.

Carol was born in St. Louis, MO to the late George and Josephine (nee Patzie) Staten . She is preceded in death by her brother, Dale Staten.  Carol was married to the love of her life, Richard Utt, for 66 years. She was a homemaker for most of her life until she got a part time job at Dillard's in the lingerie department, where she made many longtime friends during her tenure. It was there where she fitted all of her granddaughters for their first bra. She was a longtime parishioner of Holy Infant and was very involved with the school when her children attended back in the early 80's. She was a Eucharistic minister. She assisted Sr. Rosario for years with the Irish Dancers being the one in charge of the music. They became longtime friends.

Carol was an avid painter. She spent hours creating ceramic pieces and oil paintings. She loved watching Bob Ross and making "happy trees".  She also loved decorating cakes. She made many birthday cakes, cakes for bake sales, cakes for Boy Scout events.  She even made a caterpillar cake once when Kathy played the caterpillar in the Holy Infant 6th grade play, Alice in Wonderland.  Carol loved shopping, having lunch out, and buying things for others.  She loved going on vacations out west, often traveling to favorite destinations like Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, the badlands of South Dakota, Estes Park, and Branson.  She, Rich, Mike, and Kathy logged many miles on the beloved station wagon and custom vans on those summer vacations. In later years, she and Rich spent many winters in Panama City, Florida.

Her greatest joy, however, was her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She looked forward to vacations spent with them and holidays when everyone was together. They loved spending the night with her. She always did whatever they asked. All she ever wanted was to be with her family. We were blessed she was able to spend her last three months at her daughter's home, where we all celebrated her last Christmas Eve. She was surrounded by her entire family the last week of her life. She heard many funny stories and we know she was laughing inside. She will be hugely missed.

Services:   Funeral Mass at Holy Infant Catholic Church, 627 Dennison Dr, Ballwin, Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.  Private Interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. If desired, contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association . Visitation at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Rd, Ballwin,  Monday, January 19, 2026 from 4-7 p.m. Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.