Ervin H. Otto

PIERCE -- Services for Ervin H. Otto, 95, Pierce, will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church in Pierce. The Rev. Gordon Bruce will officiate. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Norfolk with military rites by American Legion Post 72 and the United States Army Honors Guard. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Stonacek Memorial Chapel in Pierce. He died Friday, March 23, 2012, at the Madison House in Norfolk. He was born Nov. 28, 1916, in rural Pierce to Gustav and Minnie (Hahn) Otto. He was baptized Dec. 3, 1916, at Zion Lutheran Church, Pierce, and confirmed there April 13, 1930. He graduated from Pierce High School in 1935. Ervin entered the United States Army on July 10, 1941, during World War II. He married Lydia Pieper June 17, 1942, at Seattle, Wash. Ervin was part of the Barrage Balloon Corps and coastal artillery that helped protect the Boeing Aircraft plant. They disbanded in 1943. They were transferred to Fort Custer, Battle Creek, Mich., and also served at Macomb, Ill. He was discharged from the military Sept. 3, 1945. He was a staff sergeant medic. They then moved to Hadar, and Ervin worked at Dudley's Dry Cleaners in Norfolk. In 1948 they moved to Pierce and bought into the Midway Service Station, which was later known as Otto Conoco Station. Ervin and Lydia owned and operated the station until 1987 when they retired. He enjoyed family, riding his bike, gardening, whistling and singing at every opportunity. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Pierce; member of Zion Lutheran Church Choir 70 years; served on many boards and committees at Zion Lutheran Church, Pierce City Council, Pierce American Legion. Survivors include wife Lydia Otto of Norfolk; two sons, Roger Otto of Saigon, Vietnam, Rick and wife Connie Otto of Pierce; one daughter, Renee and husband Jeff Otto-Berglund of Pierce; six grandchildren, Jesse Otto (Rachel) of Honolulu, Liza Allison (Scott) of Omaha, Audrey Willard (Kory), Ryan Otto (Louisa), all of Sioux Falls, S.D., Morgan Otto-Berglund of Seattle, Wash., Natasia Otto-Berglund of Lincoln; one great-granddaughter, Layla Marie Otto, born March 25, 2012; two sisters, Wanda Stowe of Williamsburg, Va., Darlene Pint of Pierce; one brother-in-law, Dale Wragge of Norfolk. He was preceded in death by parents; three brothers, Reuben, Martin, Delbert; two sisters, Illa Mae Wragge, Doris Hurley; one grandson, Michael. Organist will be Dottie Ahlers and soloist Dorthalie Walmsley with "The Lord Is My Shepherd," "Softly and Tenderly," "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" and congregational hymn "What A Friend We Have In Jesus," recorded hymn "Amazing Grace." Casket bearers will be Josh Lienenweaver, Ralph Mittelstaedt, Delwin Herbolsheimer, Tom Meyer, Dallas Oestreich, Bud Johnson. Honorary casket bearers are nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Orphan Grain Train.

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Ervin H. Otto

November 28, 1916 - March 23, 2012