Roger Otte, 84, of Grand Island died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, while visiting family in Orlando, Fla.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 N. Grand Island Ave. The Rev. Tom Schneider will officiate. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Military honors will be rendered by the U.S. Air Force and United Veterans Honor Guard.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at All Faiths Funeral Home.
Roger was born at home in Sweetwater, Neb., on Nov. 16, 1932, to Louis and Sylvia (Berzina) Otte. He attended school in Ravenna, Neb. After high school, Roger joined the United States Air Force. He served the country for over 20 years as a flight engineer for open ocean search and rescue flights, and in communications. He then worked at New Holland Manufacturing as a machinist for 20 years.
He married Ardis Finwall on March 21, 1953 in Biloxi, Miss. They were married 63 years and lived in many places around the world, including Mississippi, Texas, Alaska, California, Washington, and the Philippine Islands, before settling in Grand Island. Roger also served several remote tours of duty while in the service.
Roger was an elder at Christ Lutheran Church, taught Sunday school and served in a variety of offices, including the church's Board of Elders. He was a man of passion who loved God, his family, golf and politics. His sense of humor and zest for life were extraordinary. Roger had a gift for making everyone feel like they were his favorite - his favorite kid, his favorite in-law, his favorite grandchild, his favorite golf partner. His children admired that he did not give unsolicited advice to them, but when his advice was sought, he gave his most thoughtful and honest response, whether it was what you wanted to hear or not. He was a model of how to live life to its fullest every day of your life.
He is survived by his loving wife, Ardis; his sons, Doug Otte (Tami), Bruce Otte (Kathleen) and Andy Otte (Casie), and his daughters, Diane Holland (Martin) and Brenda McGowan (Tom). He was blessed with 20 grandchildren: Becky Herzog, Bryan Otte, Elizabeth Wright, Adam Otte, Nick Holland, Lara Holland, Kaitie Holland, Mandy McGowan, Erinn Johnston, Shanna Pugh, Mark Otte, Cassie Bianco, Haley Barry, Jacob Otte, Zach Otte, Matt Otte, Alex Otte, Joe Otte, Max Otte, and Samuel Otte. He had 10 great-grandchildren, with one on the way. He is also survived by a sister, Bonnie Ball.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvia and Louis Otte.
A memorial fund for Christ Lutheran Church preschool program has been established