PLANNERS - Organizers of the June 24 Pat Utz cancer fundraiser were Pat and his wife Michelle, Wendy Rykhus, Max Embacher, Pat Mende, Teri Hanks, Chad Blasing, Shylah Banks, and Linda Lenertz.
'Looking a lot better'
Pat Utz cancer benefit
Pat Utz cancer benefit
Fri, 07/14/2023 - 3:10pm
“A lot of local folks were happy to contribute. It’s great fun for [Pat] and Michelle.” — Linda Lenertz
Members of the Janesville community came in droves to the Pat Utz Cancer Benefit, which was held Saturday, June 24, at the Purple Goose Bar and Grill. The event was planned and executed by a committee led by Wendy Rykhus and Teri Hanks and consisted of a bean bag tournament, bake sale, silent auction, dinner, and a set from DJ Harvey. In addition, t-shirts supporting the benefit were made available to pre-order from Gidgets in Janesville. All aspects of the 12-hour event were in support of Pat Utz, who was recently diagnosed with stage four small cell lung cancer, and his wife Michelle.
“A lot of local folks were happy to contribute,” said Dawn Benson, one of the event volunteers. “It’s great for him and Michelle,” added Linda Lenertz, who managed the bake sale.
Dan Seys provided the equipment for and announced the bean bag tournament. Seys said that he has been a friend of Utz “for years,” and once played as part of a horseshoe league with him.
Max Embacher, Pat Utz’s former boss, was involved in planning the benefit and cooked the dinner that was served.
Michelle said that since he was diagnosed on March 13, “everything has changed” in the couple’s lives. She added that her husband has had to stop working while seeking treatment for cancer. While Pat had felt unwell in the months leading up to his diagnosis, Michelle said that neither of them expected it to be cancer and for a time, they were in disbelief.
Since Pat’s diagnosis, the Utzes have been met with an outpouring of support from those closest to them. “Almost right away, friends and family started planning the benefit,” said Michelle. Her workplace, Itron in Waseca, had also carried out a fundraiser.
In the meantime, Pat has been receiving chemotherapy. “Everything is shrinking through chemo, hopefully it goes well for a while,” said Michelle. She added that, overall, the situation is “looking a lot better” than it did in March.
Michelle herself contributed muffins and jam to the benefit’s bake sale. “I hope everything sells out,” she said.
Further donations can be made to the Pat Utz Fundraiser at the Elysian Bank and the Utz Benefit Fundraiser on Gofundme.