Mildred Oetken

Mildred (Pallas) Oetken, 88, of Emerson, NE, passed away Monday, September 5, 2016 at the Pender Community Hospital in Pender, NE. Memorial services will be Friday, September 9, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Emerson, NE; with Pastor Gretchen Ritola officiating. A memorial visitation will be Thursday, September 8, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Emerson, NE. Burial will be at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Emerson, NE. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Emerson, NE. Mildred was born December 27, 1927 in Thurston, NE to Jerry and Mary (Paulsen) Pallas. She graduated from Emerson High School and taught school for two years. She became a life member of the United Lutheran Church Women in 1959. Mildred married Arthur Oetken on March 29, 1947. The couple farmed near Emerson until their retirement in 1991. They then moved to town. Mildred loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She also loved having a big garden and many flowers. She is survived by her daughters, Connie (Glen) Vraspir of Emerson, NE, Beverly (Leonard) Gradert of Emerson, NE; sons, Dale (Darlene) Oetken of Fostoria, IA, Roger (Sharon) Oetken of Emerson, NE, Robert (Karen) Oetken of Lincoln, NE, Larry (Barbara) Oetken of Norfolk, NE, Richard (Michelle) Oetken of Lincoln, NE; sisters, Mary Ann Oetken of Madison, NE, Helen Oetken of Madison, SD; brother, Milton (Wilma) Pallas of Emerson, NE; 15 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren. Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur on August 23, 2016; parents; brothers, Joseph and Jerry Pallas; and sister, Alyce Jean Messerschmidt.