Roger C Otto

Roger C Otto, age 85, formerly of Phillips, died Sunday, September 20, 2009, at Hamilton Manor.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, September 24th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aurora. Fr. Don Larmore will officiate. Interment will be in the Phillips Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 P.M. Wednesday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora, with the Wake Service at 7:00 P.M. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com.

OBITUARY: ROGER C OTTO

Roger C Otto, the son of Harvey E and Cora (Chaney) Otto, was born on the family farm near Phillips, Nebraska on January 30, 1924 and died in Aurora, Nebraska on September 20, 2009, at the age of 85.

He grew up on the family farm south of Phillips. In high school, Roger was the 4-H Youth Health Champion. Roger graduated from Phillips High School and then from the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture with high honors. He was a member of Farmhouse Fraternity. Roger served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII as a B-17 co-pilot.

Roger was united in marriage to Helen Agnes Zimmerman on August 20, 1947 at St. Edward. Roger farmed all of his life south of Phillips. In addition to farming, Roger taught veterinary science classes to area farmers. The farm was classified as a Grade A Dairy Farm for many years. Helen passed away on June 6, 2003.

Roger was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aurora and the Knights of Columbus, where he had served a term as Grand Knight. He was also a member of the American Legion. Roger was a craftsman and inventor. He enjoyed woodworking, metal work and creating stained glass. Roger loved playing cards and spending time with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Cora; wife, Helen; daughter, Patricia Topham; a brother, Norris and sister, Jean.

Those left to cherish his memory are his three children, Kathryn “Kat” Otto of Grand Island, Barbara “BJ” (Robert) Meyer of Grand Island and Mark (Becky) Otto of Phillips; four grandchildren, Aaron Otto of Roeland Park, Kansas, Ann (Lee) Buchanan of Olsburg, Kansas, Alex Otto & Jenessa Frank of Kansas City, Kansas and Brandon (Alycia) Packer of Grand Island; 8 great-grandchildren, Brody Buchanan, Gavin Otto, Schyler Packer, Drake Packer, Corbin Packer, Brant Packer, Justin Grupe and Brittany Grupe and special family friend Father Don Larmore.