Otto E. Franzen, 85, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died October 31, 2012 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

Otto Eilert Franzen was born on January 10, 1927 in Gothenburg to Eilert and Gesina Schmidt Franzen.

He graduated country school and farmed with his family. In April 1952, he married Marie Litchenberg in Gothenburg. Otto served in the US Army during the Korean War, stationed in Germany. Upon returning to Gothenburg, he and Marie welcomed four children into their union – Charlotte, James, Wayne and Celeste. After Marie’s passing in 1968, Otto married Lois Hickenbottom on April 1, 1969 in Callaway. Along with Lois came four more children -Tim, Steve, Jim and Molly Lange. And born to this union was their son, Eric.

Otto worked at Monroe Auto Equipment from 1970- 1979. But the majority of his life was spent farming. He was one of them that said once farming gets in your blood, it stays there for a lifetime. He didn’t fully retire until the couple sold the farm and moved into Gothenburg in 2005. Otto was a stickler for a beautiful lawn, and didn’t allow just anyone to help tend to it. As the kids grew up, moved on and raised families of their own, Otto and Lois turned their attention to raising their four-legged kids. Until their passing, Angel, Pebbles and Bobo were the most loved and spoiled critters on this earth.

In addition to his parents, Otto was preceded in death by a sister, Bernice Bodtke; first wife, Marie; granddaughter and grandson Natasha and Zachary Franzen; and several in-laws.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Lois, and children Charlotte (Tom) Tauche, Colorado Springs, CO; James (Laura) Franzen, Lincoln; Tim (Patty) Lange, Grand Island, Wayne (Duane Woutzke) Franzen, Wymore, NE; Steve (DeAnna) Lange, Callaway; Celeste (Larry Miller), Cahokia, IL; Jim (Katy) Lange, Healy, KS, Molly Lange, Grand Island; and Eric (Tia) Franzen, Grand Island; sisters, Lucille Sommers, MO, Alvina Krueger, Gilead, NE; Evelyn Waltman, Ord, NE; brother Marvin (Jill) Franzen, Gothenburg; 18 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews,and the four-legged twins, Abby and Laci.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Friday, November 02, 2012 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm with the family present from 6-8 pm.

Funeral Services will be held at American Lutheran Church, November 3, 2012 at 10:00 am with Pastor Tom Wilson, Lonna Grabenstein PMA officiating.

Interment will follow in the American Lutheran Cemetery, Gothenburg, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the Gothenburg American Legion or Donor’s Choice. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.