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Otto was born to Otto and Elsie (Peglow) Boesel
in Wahoo, NE. The family lived on a farm south of Ceresco. They had
lost a son Emery as an infant, but they had a daughter Bernice old
enough to have an opinion. When Bernice was told she was going to a
have a new baby brother or sister, she replies that a baby sister
was okay, but she would throw a baby brother out the door. I think
the sense of humor runs in the family.
During the depression days when Otto was three, the family moved to
Wahoo for his father to find work. Otto grew up in Wahoo and
graduated from Wahoo High School in 1945. He attended UNL for one
semester and then joined the work force.His family’s choice of
church was the Presbyterian Church in Wahoo.
He was raised in a hard working family that also enjoyed themselves.
Otto learned to cook, can, and butcher as well as cut wood for the
kitchen stove, gardening, mowing the yard, and picking lots of
cherries only to mention a few things. He really was a jack-
of-all-trades. He worked a number of jobs but mostly as a plumber.
He also enjoyed life, especially the outdoors. Otto loved going
fishing, hunting, trapping and playing golf, horseshoes, and
softball. Oh yes, he used to roller skate too.
After Otto’s mother died in 1950 he took over the cooking as well as
helping his father with other work. He remained at home until his
father remarried some years later. Eventually, he bought his own
home in Wahoo.
Otto never married; however, he is wonderful with children.
Recently, a group of elementary students were visiting the Care
Center and received a marvelous education about dealing with a loss
like Otto’s with good humor. He told them it was fun to tease the
nurses like asking them to scratch his itching toes and see them
start to. He also said he asks to have his toenails painted.
There is no doubt, some day this valuable information and attitude
will be needed by one or more of these children.
Otto last entered the Care Center January 2, 2003 to stay after
having been there temporarily before. He has a golf clock in his
room that shows his love of sports. He enjoys watching them on TV,
except tennis. Otto likes to visit with anyone and enjoys teasing
the nurses. However, I have heard a rumor that Otto has a rich
vocabulary of words your mother taught you “not” to use when he is
angry or frustrated. Oh well, Otto is a man who makes great
lemonade!
Otto passed away on December 9, 2008 at the Saunders County Medical
Center at the age of 81. He was preceded in death by his parents,
brother, sister and niece, Lorna Hartsook. Otto is survived by
nieces and nephews; Leland and Phyllis Breyer of Greensboro, NC,
Loretta and Tim Thimgan of Lincoln, NE, Loyce and Louise Breyer of
Phillipsburg, KS, Lyman and Sharon Breyer of Scottsdale, AZ,
Lonnie and Sue Breyer of Dunlap, IA and many other friends and
relatives.
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