Funeral services for Franklin Otten age 84 of Pilger, NE will be on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the Zion-St. John Lutheran Church, rural Wisner, NE. Interment will be in St. Matthew's Lutheran Cemetery, rural Wisner, NE. Visitation will be on Friday from 3 to 8 p.m., with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Minnick Funeral Home in Pilger and will continue on Saturday from 9 a.m. until service time at the church.

God gave life to Franklin Herman Otten on February 16, 1929. The second of ten children, he was born to John and Emilie (Heermann) Otten in Stanton County, Nebraska. On March 17, 1929 he was baptized at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church where he later confirmed his faith in Jesus on March 29, 1942. He attended Stanton County Rural School District #46, St. Matthew's Lutheran School, and graduated from Pilger High School in 1946.

Franklin farmed with his father and brother until January, 1952 when he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He traveled to Camp Gordon, GA to be trained as a private in the Military Police. In July 1952, he was shipped across the Pacific to serve in the Korean Conflict. After achieving the rank of corporal in July 1953, he was blessed to return home to the family farm before Christmas of 1953.

In 1967 Franklin was united in marriage to Christa Johanna Willkomm. They recently celebrated 46 years of a Christ-centered marriage on January 28. God blessed their union with four children. They resided south of Pilger on the home place where Franklin was born. Franklin actively enjoyed cattle until the time of his death. Cows and calves held a special place in his heart. His favorite place was what he called “God's country”, the family's sand hills pasture.

He was a proud steward of God's earth as he enjoyed conserving native grasslands and controlling soil erosion. His example and dedication educated other farmers. Franklin will be remembered as a strong gentle man who spoke more with his actions than words.

Franklin passed away February 20th, 2013 at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk, NE.

Survivors include-
Wife-Christa Otten of Pilger, NE
Children and their families-
Emily Bowden of Tyler, TX and Rod Bowden of Flint, TX and daughters
Rebekah and Andrea
Kristine and Ken Schneider of Monument, CO and children
Jonathan, Elisabeth, Benjamin, and Elijah
Philip and Lisa Otten of Pilger, NE and children
Jakob, Levi, Rachel, and Lily
Nicholas and Julie Otten of Omaha, NE and children
Emily and Justin

Brothers- Clemens and Dixie Otten of Greensboro, NC
Fred and Judith Otten of Norfolk, NE
Arnold Otten of York, NE
John and Mary Anne Otten of Rudyard, MI
Sisters- Gertrude and Mel Clausen of Greeley, CO
Doris and Dick Benal of Colon, NE
Mary and Stan Henderson of Waukee, IA
Brother-in-law- Abb Taylor of Meridian, ID
Sister-in-law- Magdalene Otten of Wisner, NE
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Franklin was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Martin Otten, one sister Ruth Taylor and one sister-in-law Gail Otten.

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