Kenneth Wayne Ottemann

    Kenneth Wayne Ottemann was born October 8, 1946 to Mervin and Lila (Bohling) Ottemann in Humboldt, Nebraska.   He was baptized October 24, 1946 by Rev. Freuhling and confirmed March 26, 1961 by Rev. Fredrick R. Lutz at Martin Luther Church, Johnson, Nebraska.  Ken graduated from Elk Creek High School in 1964 and attended Peru State College, receiving his Bachelor of Industrial Arts Degree.

  Ken was united in marriage to Annette Woltemath on April 19, 1968 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, rural Elk Creek, Nebraska.  To this union two children were born, Jeffery and Andrea.  After their marriage, they moved to Aurora, Nebraska where Ken taught 7-12 Industrial Arts and Driver's Education at Marquette High School. 

  In 1972, Ken and Annette returned to the family farm south of Johnson and Ken began farming with his father, Mervin.  He also taught 7-12 Industrial Arts and Driver's Education for Elk Creek High School until his retirement from teaching. He was currently serving as chairman for the Elk Creek Fire Board.  In 2007, Ken was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and after a courageous battle, survived for another nine years.  He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and succumbed to the disease after being able to harvest his crops one final time.  He impacted many young lives in his teaching career and also left a wonderful legacy for his children and grandchildren.  Ken was a very hard worker, who loved raising cattle, tending to his crops, doing woodworking, playing with his grandkids and giving them tractor rides.  

 Ken passed away at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, Monday, January 2, 2017 at the age of 70 years.

 He is survived by his wife, Annette, of rural Johnson, son, Jeff and wife Danelle of rural Johnson, daughter, Andrea Hibma and husband Paul of Fort Collins, CO, grandchildren, Aiden, Taryn and Brecken Ottemann and Abbie and Noah Hibma, mother, Lila Ottemann of rural Elk Creek, sisters, Sharon Kuti and husband John of Fort Calhoun and Joyce Badertscher of rural Tecumseh, mother-in-law, Eileen Woltemath of Tecumseh, Nebraska,  and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many dear friends. 

  Ken was preceded in death by his father, Mervin Ottemann (December 14, 2011), brother-in-law, Roger Badertscher and nephew, Braden Badertscher.  

   A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 5, 2017 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, rural Elk Creek, Nebraska. 

   Visitation will be at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska, Wednesday, January 4, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m.

   Memorials may go to the family’s choice.

   Interment will be in the St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery, rural Elk Creek, Nebraska. 

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

 Service Information