The couple were returning from their Taupo holiday home when their vehicle and a logging truck collided near Te Pohue. They died at the scene. Police said it appeared the couple may have been taking evasive action.
Daughter Caroline Uttley said the kindness and support from friends, family and even total strangers had been overwhelming, with cards, flowers and food arriving on their doorstep.
The couple were totally devoted to one another and now they would lie "together forever", she said.
The pair met by chance on a beach. Ian, the "fastest kid in school", was athletically throwing a rugby ball around with friends while Tink couldn't really pass the ball at all.
When Tink went to work at Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong, Ian missed her "sufficiently enough" to realise that there was more to life than rugby. They married in Gisborne in 1965 - the same year Ian scored the only try in Wellington's victory over South Africa.
He played two matches at centre for the All Blacks, at home against England in 1963. He was known as the grey ghost because he could glide effortlessly through the opposition's line.
Friends said Ian was a modest rugby player and believed he played his best football in the provinces.
The couple recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Their grandchildren gave them cards to celebrate the occasion. These were read at the funeral.
They described them as the "most cheerful grandparents in the whole wide world" who were always supporting them from the sideline.
One granddaughter called them a "perfect match", saying she hoped to one day find someone to love as much as they loved each other.
The Uttleys' Napier home became a "halfway house" for grandchildren to call in after school for hugs and baking. Their generosity was so well known the family joked that they had to go into hiding at Halloween as children from all over called on their house.
The Uttleys lived everywhere from Auckland and Wellington to London, while Ian worked as senior executive at Shell Oil. They moved to Napier from Waikanae about 10 years ago to support their children and grandchildren.
Their daughter, Vicki, first made the move to Hawke's Bay, her sister Rachel was the first to follow, then Caroline, their parents and brother Guy.
Mr Uttley suffered from dementia and the family asked that any donations go to the local Alzheimers society.
Friends said the couple were "treasures" who would never be forgotten.