Gail Otten

Gail Ann (Vasek) Otten was born December 14, 1942 in Columbus, Nebraska to Gerald and Gertrude (Schultze) Vasek. She was baptized into the Christian faith by Pastor E.C. Werner at Zion Lutheran Church in Leigh, NE on January 17, 1943. She grew up on the family farm south of Leigh with two younger brothers, Gary and Gregory. Gail attended Zion Lutheran Grade School and was confirmed by Pastor Bernard Geerdes at Zion in 1956. She graduated from Leigh High School in 1960 and received her Bachelor's degree from Wayne State Teachers College in 1963, majoring in Home Economics and Library Science. She taught school at Schuyler High School and Wayne Jr. High School.

In 1964, Gail was united in marriage to Arnold E. Otten. They celebrated 46 years of marriage on February 22nd. They lived in Wayne, NE for two years before returning to his hometown of Pilger, NE, where he was employed at the local bank for eleven years. During those years God blessed them with three daughters: Pamela Jane, Kaye Lynn, and Lisa Marie.

The family moved to Deshler, NE in 1977 where Gail sold Christian books and gifts from home for the next twenty years. She was involved in many community projects over the years and spent over ten years as a 4-H leader in Thayer County. Gail was a member of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League since 1966. She served in many local and zone offices and committees, and was vice president of the Nebraska District for four years. She loved books and served as a volunteer librarian for St. Peter Lutheran Church and School in Deshler. Her talents were instrumental in organizing the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Family Resource Center in York, NE, where they made their home after Arnold's retirement from banking in 1998.

Gail loved people, but was also very content to be at home with a good book, or her sewing and tatting projects. She loved helping her children and especially delighted in her six grandsons and two granddaughters. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, always taking time to visit many friends and relatives along the way.

Gail touched many people's lives and looked at her cancer as an opportunity to witness for Christ. She always found peace by accepting God's plan for her life. She gave up her fight on March 4, 2010 at her home, where she was being lovingly cared for by her family. She reached the age of 67 years, 2 months and 18 days.

Gail was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald A. and Gertrude (Schultze) Vasek. Survivors looking forward to being reunited with her in heaven are: her loving husband Arnold; Pam & Rob Johansen, Hayden, Logan, Devin and Peyton of Utica, NE; Dr. Kaye Otten of Kansas City, MO; Lisa and Philip Otten, Jakob, Levi, Rachel and Lily of rural Pilger, NE; Gary & Nancy Vasek of Colorado Springs, CO; Greg & Marcia Vasek of Lincoln, NE; as well as five nephews and many dear relatives and friends.

A service of celebration for the life of Gail Ann (Vasek) Otten was held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York. Burial was at St. Matthew's Lutheran Cemetery south of Pilger on Friday, March 12, 2010. Family graveside services were at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 12, 2010 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Cemetery, Wisner, NE. Memorials may be directed to LWML Special Gifts Fund, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Family Resource Center, or special mission projects to be designated at a later date.