JANINE K. (FORDYCE) UTTENHOVE
April 21, 1960–Sept. 11, 2024
Janine Uttenhove passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Janine was born April 21, 1960, to John and Glenda Fordyce in Newcastle, Wyoming. She was a 1978 graduate of Newcastle High School and married thereafter.
On Oct. 8, 1981, her daughter, Stacee, was born. Janine devoted her life to caring for Stacee, who was born with Rett Syndrome, (a rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system). When Stacee was becoming of school age, Janine wanted her to have the best resources and opportunities available, therefore they moved to Gillette, Wyoming, so she could attend BOCES (Northeast Wyoming Board of Cooperative Educational Services), a school for special needs children. Janine had worked in the medical field in the past and was then employed at BOCES for many years so she could be as involved in her care as much as possible. To say the least, Stacee was the light and love of her life!
Janine met and married Walter Uttenhove in Gillette in 1996. They lived in Gillette and later in Pine Haven. In 2013, Stacee passed away peacefully in her sleep. Although Janine lost a huge piece of her heart and life, she continued working and cared for many patients over the years at Pioneer Manor in Gillette. She had several different roles while employed at the Manor. The part she loved most was interacting with the residents.
In May of 2020, during Covid while Janine was hospitalized and suffering from a medical complication, her husband, Wally, passed away at their home.
Janine never knew a stranger, was an extremely hard worker, and made everyone feel important. She was a selfless soul, always putting other’s needs before her own.
Janine is survived by her brother, Clint (Gnene) of Faith, South Dakota; sister, Jolene (Craig) Deveraux of Newcastle; nephew, Garet Fordyce (Carmen, Alice, and Nola) of Roca, Nebraska; niece, Jozelle Humble (BJ, Teedin, Toarin, Stratin, and Strydin) of Faith; niece, Abi Deveraux of Newcastle; and nephews, Cooper Deveraux of Newcastle, and Jake Deveraux of Dillon, Montana.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Stacee; husband, Wally; parents, John and Glenda; and grandparents, Joe and Mary Fordyce and John and Eva Thompson.
Services for Janine K. (Fordyce) Uttenhove will be Friday, Sept. 20, at 2 p.m. at Meridian Mortuary in Newcastle.
Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Meridian Mortuary, 111 S. Railway Ave., Newcastle, WY 82701 or expressions of sympathy may also be made online at
meridianmortuary.com.