Clarulah ("Claire") O. Goldwater Utt, age 85, of Wichita and former long-time resident of Winfield, died on May 16, 2012.

Claire was born April 2, 1927 in Winfield, Kansas to Clarence V. and Beulah Josie Wooldridge Goldwater. As a child, she resided with her parents and younger siblings on a farm a few miles northwest of Oxford, Kansas. She attended Sumner County rural schools through eighth grade and then Oxford High School, graduating in 1944 after which she moved to Winfield and began her long career in secretarial work. Over the years, she worked for the Cowley County Health Department, the Winfield Office of Price Administration, Winfield Investment Co., Barbour-Collinson Abstract Co., and the Cowley County Treasurer's Office, from which she retired in 1992 after almost thirty years' service. On September 22, 1945, Claire married William Albert Utt in Winfield, where they resided during their more than sixty years of marriage. Mr. Utt died in 2006.

In addition to her long-time love of cooking and sewing, Mrs. Utt was a passionate, dedicated family historian and genealogist, publishing two editions of a book on the Utt family as well as writing manuscripts for several other branches of her family tree. She was a charter member of the Cowley County Genealogical Society, serving as its Secretary-Treasurer for many years, and was also a member of the Peleg Gorton Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution in Winfield, serving as Regent for six years. Further, Mrs. Utt was a member of the Business and Professional Womens' Club during her working years and a member of First Christian Church in Winfield since 1957.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Utt was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, David Goldwater, and one sister, Judyth Tally.
Survivors include: son James K. Utt and daughter-in-law Janice Utt of Maryville, Tennessee; daughter Marcia E. Gordon and son-in-law Steven Gordon of Wichita; brothers Vern Goldwater of Arkansas City, Robert Goldwater and Rolland Goldwater of Wichita, Max Goldwater of Haysville, and sister Vonda Epling of Henderson, Nevada; granddaughters Emily Utt Huff and husband Chris of Concord, North Carolina, Meredith Utt Olson and husband Karl of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Molly Gordon Ralston and husband Rob of Shawnee, Kansas, and Sally Gordon of Wichita, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation has been effected per her request. A private burial will be held in Oxford Cemetery. A memorial service celebrating Mrs. Utt's life will be held Monday, May 21, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Miles Funeral Service Chapel in Winfield. Contributions in Mrs. Utt's memory are suggested to the Winfield Public Library.