Joyce A. (Ottemann) Badertscher

Joyce Ann (Ottemann) Badertscher was born to Mervin and Lila (Bohling) Ottemann on December 1, 1951.  She was baptized and confirmed at the Martin Luther Lutheran Church, rural Johnson, Nebraska.  Joyce graduated from Elk Creek High School in 1970, from C.E. School of Commerce with a degree in Accounting in 1971 and in 2004 from Southeast Community College with a degree in Radiologic Technology. She was a lifelong learner.

She was united in marriage to Roger E. Badertscher on May 21, 1971 at the Martin Luther Church in rural Johnson.  To this union three sons were born: Tony, Brad, and Mark. 

While Roger was in the Army, Joyce and Roger lived in Germany. Later they made their home west of Tecumseh where they raised their family.  They farmed, gardened, and raised cattle, pigs, and chickens.  She stayed home with the three boys until she started working at the Maple Grove Home.  In 1987, Joyce started working at the Johnson County Hospital in the kitchen and then went back to school to transition to radiology technician.  After Roger’s death in 2014, she transferred to the Physical Therapy department. After 38 years, she retired from the Johnson County Hospital in 2022.  Since her retirement, Joyce, along with her granddaughter Reese, volunteered at the L. Marie Store.

She took pride in work by keeping the farm pristine, which meant many hours on the lawnmower and Gator. She was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother who gave meaning to life. She was happiest when she was spending time with her family, and she particularly enjoyed baking pies with her grandchildren.

She passed away Thursday, February 29, 2024 at the Bryan Medical Center - East Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 72 after a brief illness.  Joyce will be dearly missed by all who knew her. 

Joyce is survived by her sons, Tony Badertscher and wife Jane, grandson Tyler, of Holdrege; Brad Badertscher and wife Leah, grandchildren Elijah, Samuel, and Blaise of Niles, Michigan; and Mark Badertscher and wife Tami, grandchildren Kayden and Reese of Tecumseh; sister Sharon Kuti and husband John of Fort Calhoun, sisters and brothers-in-law, Carol Ehlers of Steinauer, Royce Badertscher and Nancy of Tecumseh, Annette Ottemann of Johnson, nieces, nephews and many friends.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law Eldon and Aloma Badertscher, husband Roger Badertscher, grandson Braden Badertscher, brother, Ken Ottemann, brothers-in-law John Ehlers, Randy Badertscher and Ron Badertscher.   

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at the St. Paul’s U.C.C. (Maple Grove) Church, rural Tecumseh, Nebraska, with Pastor Ken Tubbesing officiating. The service was also be livestreamed on the Wherry Mortuary Facebook page for those unable to attend.  A link to the video is now available on the bottom of Joyce's webpage. 

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Memorials may go to the family’s choice.

Interment will be in the St. Paul’s U.C.C. (Maple Grove) Cemetery, rural Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

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