Obituary of Otto Algene Schmidtke

Otto Algene Schmidtke, age 70, of Stratford, passed away on the morning of Thursday, August 25, 2011 at The House of The Dove in Marshfield with his wife, Linda, at his side and under the care of Ministry Home Care Hospice. A funeral service will be held at 11AM on Friday, September 2, 2011 at Zion United Methodist Church in Marshfield. The Rev. Mike Carlson will officiate. Friends may call on Thursday, September 1, 2011 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Zion United Methodist Church in Marshfield and again on Friday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of service. Following the funeral service military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post #54 of Marshfield. A private committal service will be held at Brooklawn Memorial Gardens at a later date. Otto was born September 22, 1940, in the town of York in Clark County, son of the late Otto and Flossie (Davis) Schmidtke. Following his graduation from Loyal High School, he entered the United States Army, proudly served his country from 1960-1963, with two of those years served in Germany. On July 2, 1966, Otto was united in marriage to the former Linda Kammerer at United Methodist Church in Chili. Otto, along with his wife, Linda, owned and operated Schmidtke’s Furnace Duct Cleaning. Otto was a longtime member of Zion United Methodist Church. Other organizations included Whitetails Unlimited, AWCC, a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, member of Marshfield American Legion Post 54, the American Hunting Club, Bakerville Snow Rovers, the Marshfield Eagles Club Aerie #624, MACCI, Stratford Chamber of Commerce, and the American Motorcycle Association. Hobbies included hunting, motorcycling, snowmobiling, camping, and golf. Otto loved following NASCAR and attended countless races at several race tracks. Otto was a very devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. Since 1990, he has been instrumental in collecting monies to support the Special Olympics thru the Bakerville Snowmobile Club’s annual ride. This group of kids was special to Otto. Survivors include his loving wife, Linda, of Stratford, two daughters: Vicki (John) Helms, Cody, WY.; Keri (Lennie) Meitzel, Billings, MT; and a son: Kevin (Kendra) Schmidtke, Stratford; seven grandchildren: Sean, Shane, Luke, Troy, Paul, Karissa, and Kody, and two step-grandchildren: Kelsey and Tanner. He is further survived by three sisters: Lola Brown, LuAnn Baker and Bonnie (Harvey) Degenhardt, along with many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Otto was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister: Norita Adler. The family would like to thank Pastor Mike and Anola Becker for their care and support, their church family, friends of the benefit and House of The Dove, “what a caring and lovely group of caregivers.” In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted in Otto’s memory to the Marshfield Special Olympics.