On March 11, 2023, following a well-lived 93 years on this earth Evelyn (Stricker) Ott gratefully slipped the bonds of her aged body.
She was a resident of Heritage Estates at the time of her death.
Evelyn was born August 4, 1929 at Melbeta, Nebraska to Alex and Katherine (Schmidt) Stricker. She spent her growing-up years on various valley farms in the company of 6 feisty sisters and 1 rambunctious brother, farm kids who learned the value of a hard day’s work and the importance of church on Sunday from their Volga-German parents.
Her marriage to area farmer Walter Ott on May 25, 1947 provided her with a second family and she soon learned to treasure Walter’s parents, brothers, and sisters as she did her own.
Once married Evelyn never looked for a ‘town job’ because she realized early on that her true self was to be found working alongside her husband and her sons Gary and Dale. When the boys left the rural Lyman farm to make their own way in the world she remained a steadfast helpmeet to Walter until his death on April 20, 1987.
As a widow, she embraced her new life while honoring her previous one. After Evelyn left the farm and became a ‘town-girl’ she still rejoiced over what she called ‘a good rain.’
She was known for her friendly smile, warm heart, positive, uncomplaining nature and yes, some good old-fashioned Volga German stubbornness.
She was small but mighty.
Evelyn joined the Gering Zion Church in 1947 and was a faithful member. When ill-health precluded weekly attendance she continued with her daily prayers and Bible readings. Her faith never wavered.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Walter, infant daughter Karen; 3 sisters and their husbands Hilda (Neal) Gross, Clara (John) Schaneman , Jane (Alex) Hoff; brother Larry Stricker; sisters-in-law Leona Buth, Dorothy Jerger and Kay Ott; brothers-in-law Richard Ott, Robert Ott Harold Piester, Albert Siegfried, Floyd Schaneman and Elmer Jerger.
Evelyn is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law Gary (Sharon) Ott and Dale (Karen) Ott; grandchildren Christopher (Denise) Ott, Kendra (Brady) Caskey, Dana Ott (Sai) Palagummi, Andrew (April) Ott, Matthew (Katie) Ott and Adam Ott; 11 great grandchildren; sisters Shirley Piester, Joann Siegfried and Dorothy Schaneman; sister-in-law Betty Ott and numerous nieces and nephews.
Her funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Gering Zion Church with Pastor Tim Hebbert officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering. There will be no viewing, casket will be closed.
Memorials may be made to the Festival of Hope or the Gering Zion Church. Fond memories may be left at www.geringchapel.com. Gering Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.