Eugene M. "Gene" Oetting was born on February 27, 1932, in Emma, MO, the oldest of eight children to Norbert W. and Lydia M. (Nierman) Oetting and passed away on May 29, 2019, in Seward, at the age of 87 years, 3 months and 2 days.

Gene grew up on the family acreage on the edge of Emma. He attended Holy Cross Lutheran Elementary School from 1938-46. To continue his education and career goal of becoming a Lutheran teacher, he attended Concordia High School in Seward as a boarding student from 1946-50. Gene then attended Concordia Teachers College in Seward from 1950-54, where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Education. While in college, he met Harriet "Peg" Martha Pueggel. They were united in marriage on July 19, 1953, at St. John Lutheran Church in Garner, IA. After their marriage the couple moved to Houston, TX, where Gene taught and coached at the Lutheran High School for two years. They moved to Los Angeles, CA where he taught, coached and was part of the administration at the Lutheran High School from 1956 until 1967. While there, he received his Master of Arts in Religion degree in 1959 from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO. In 1967, Gene received his M.A. in Education Administration from Los Angeles State University. The couple moved back to Seward in 1967, where Gene was the Director of Counseling, Professor of Education and Dean of Education until 1997 at Concordia University. Gene received his Ed.D. in Secondary Education in 1973 from the University of Nebraska. He later attended a sabbatical semester at Concordia in Irvine, CA from 1978-1979. He also taught part time at the Teachers College at UNL from 1982 until 1987.

As the eldest child, Gene was always a hero and model for his siblings, providing a path for them. Many in the Oetting clan would follow the example he set in athletics, coaching, and teaching.

Gene was very active on many boards and committees over the years: the Stewardship Board for the Southern California LCMS District, California Lutheran Hospital Board, Christ College Founder Board of Regents, Nebraska Council of Teacher Education, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Unit Committee, Board of Finance and Board of Elders at St. John Lutheran Church, Seward. Gene was also an instructor for Prison Ministry and led worship at Brookdale and Ridgewood Care Center. Gene held recognitions from Nebraska High School All State 6-Man Football; athletic awards as a student athlete, including Concordia and Nebraska Football Hall of Fame; Outstanding Teaching award from Concordia University and a 40-year faculty award with the LCMS. Through his years as a dean of education, he would shepherd hundreds of future teachers into their professions.

Gene enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, playing golf, fishing and working with his flowers in his garden.  He loved watching and participating in sports and playing pitch with his family and friends. When extended family gathered for meals, his deep-voiced prayers of blessing always expressed joy and thanks, giving glory to God.

Gene provided loving counsel and support for the several sets of relatives in the area, and he was a grandfather figure for their many children. After Peg passed away, Gene found a renewed enjoyment of cooking and grilling. Gene was a man of God and took every opportunity to show Christ's love from his giving heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Peg (2012); two sisters, Mary Ann Oetting, Lois and husband Gerald Pomerenke; infant brother, Roger Oetting; brothers-in-law, Mike Sherrill, Harold Pueggel; sisters-in-law, Donna Oetting and Viola Monahan.

Gene is survived by his two children, David and wife Julia Oetting, Sarasota, FL, Shauna Oetting, Seward; three grandchildren, Dimitri, Alanna, and Quinten; three brothers, Larry and wife Kitty Oetting, Lincoln, Bob and wife Carol Oetting, Charleston, IL, Dennis Oetting, Emma, MO; sister, Sharon Sherrill, Farmington, MO; sister-in-law, Carol Pueggel, Garner, IA; nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews and a host of many friends. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of life shared with Gene.