Obituary of Gilbert Carl Otter

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

GILBERT C. OTTER

Gilbert Carl Otter, 79, went home to the Lord on April 25, 2019, after a journey with cancer. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his journey and ultimately gave him peace. Gil was born to the late Albert and Sophia (Bruggeman) Otter on the family farm near the river in New Almelo, KS, March 31, 1940. He grew in his strong Catholic faith through his family from a young child at his first communion, attending St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, in New Almelo, and the St Francis Seminary in Victoria, KS, from his freshman through junior years of high school. Gil graduated in 1959 from Leoville Rural High School in Leoville, KS.

Gil worked for several farmers before attending Barber School in Wichita, KS. Upon completion of the program he moved to Ulysses, KS, to work under the tutelage of Tafe Schauer before being drafted and serving 18 months in the United States Army. He was a Theodolite operator for a missile launching site in Germany and on the Isle of Benbecula in the Hebrides. Upon returning from the Army, Gil returned to Ulysses where he met and married Carol Hamilton on October 2, 1965. Born to their union are eight children. The young couple had their first four children in Ulysses before returning to Lenora, KS, to farm and barber. One year after their fifth child was born they moved to Norton, KS, where Gil worked at the greenhouse and Carol at the hospital before buying and opening Gil's Barber Shop in 1977 and having three more children.

Gil will be greatly missed from the Norton community as he was actively involved in St. Francis of Assisi Catholic church, a 60 year member of the Knights of Columbus and a 4th Degree member for 50 years, a member of the Norton Lions Club, Post 63 Norton American Legion, Norton Chamber of Commerce, Ministerial Alliance and 4-H Leader. Gil knew no stranger and would spend the same amount of time on a full head of hair as he would a bald man. A man of many hobbies and talents, Gil was a gardener, mechanic, woodworker, cook, grower of flowers and hot peppers, fixer of most everything, prankster, giver, guide, veteran, teacher of religion and hair. He was a good man and a good example, always a man of integrity and wit.

Gil is survived by his loving wife Carol of the home, Heidi (Jim) Briery, Eudora, KS; Jeffory (Theola) Otter, Norton, KS; Stephen (Penny) Otter, Norton, KS; Rebecca (Logan) Campbell, Dighton, KS; Mary (Tim) Schulze, Norton, KS; Timothy (Rakel) Otter, Highlands Ranch, CO; Luke Otter, Lawrence, KS; and Catherine (Clint) Knedlik, Salina, KS; 25 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Brothers: Conrad (Charlotte) Otter, McPherson, KS; Francis (Phyllis) Otter, Hays, KS; Alfred (Betty) Otter, New Almelo, KS; Harold Otter, Flagstaff, AZ; Sisters: Mary Schamberger, Hoxie, KS; Janice (Steve) Richards, Sandia Park, NM, and sister-in-law Julia Otter, Hays, KS, and many other family, friends and strangers.

Gil was proceeded in death by his parents, sister Ursla, brothers Roger and Gerard, brothers-in-law Mike Schamberger and Mike Hamilton and son-in-law Mike Wray.

ROSARY - Tuesday, April 30, 2019 – 7:00 PM at the Parish Hall in Norton, Kansas

VISITATION – Tuesday, April 30, 2019 – 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM

at the Parish Hall in Norton, Kansas

MASS OF THE CHRISTIAN BURIAL – Wednesday, May 1, 2019 – 10:30 AM

PLACE – St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church – Norton, Kansas

INTERMENT – Norton Cemetery – Norton, Kansas

MEMORIALS - Knights of Columbus or Hospice Services of Norton County

CONDOLENCES TO – www.enfieldfh.com

ARRANGEMENTS BY – Enfield Funeral Home of Norton.