To the editor:
I first heard of Auguste Margaret Utermann during the summer of 1941, when I remarked to a young lady in our neighborhood that I would be studying German language in West High School during the coming autumn, and she was very happy to tell me about Miss Utermann, under whom she had also studied.I found that she must be someone special because almost everyone at school knew and admired her. I studied the German language, history and tradition under her guidance for most of the following two years until I graduated in 1943.
Occasionally I would write to her, following the end of World War II, from where I was stationed in Germany and once asked her if she could obtain for me a German-language grammar to help me now that I was among the German people. I was surprised to receive both books from which we studied, and they were her own personal copies in which her name was inscribed.
At length, I returned from overseas, visited her one day while she was dean of women at East High School, then went about my life, completing my education, marrying, raising a family; in 1988 I retired.
My wife and I decided to visit Alma, Kan., for a special purpose - to visit the gravesite of the special teacher of 47 years ago.
Miss Utermann was born in 1895 to August Utermann and Mary Undorf Utermann in Alma, Wabaunsee County, Kan., where she spent her early life. She received a bachelor's degree in mathematics and German at the University of Kansas and her master's in liberal arts at Middlebury College. She accepted placement in her profession with Salt Lake City Board of Education in 1921 and taught at South High School, East High School and Jackson Junior High School. She taught mathematics, German and science at South, West and Jackson junior high schools and served as counselor and dean of women at East High School. She retired June 1961 after 40 years of guiding tens of thousands of students in their preparation for life.
The Salt Lake City directory for 1965 records that she was retired and living at the Belvedere Apartments. She died that year. All of you who remember may want to recall her role in your life. It's too late to tell her now, but if you would like, tell of your memories of her and send your recollections to: Wabaunsee County Historical Society, Alma, KA 66401
George M. Loertscher
Salt Lake City