Bernard Henry Koetter

Birth

31 Mar 1935

Red Willow County, Nebraska, USA

Death

3 Oct 2013 (aged 78)

McCook, Red Willow County, Nebraska, USA

Burial

Saint Patrick Calvary Cemetery

McCook, Red Willow County, Nebraska

 

Bernard Henry Koetter, died Thursday, October 3rd, 2013 at home in McCook, Nebraska. Bernard was born on March 31st, 1935 at the family farmhouse north of McCook, Nebraska to Arthur and Mary (Lepper) Koetter.

Bernard was confirmed at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, McCook, Nebraska. He started school in a one-room schoolhouse in Red Willow County, Nebraska and continued his elementary education in McCook, Nebraska graduating in 1952 from McCook Senior High School, McCook, Nebraska. High school activities included Legion baseball, track and member of the FFA.

Upon graduation, he worked at McCook Packing Plant, Standard Oil and on the family farm and dairy. On July 4, 1953 he married Sharon Ann Skoumal in McCook, Nebraska. To this union seven children were born.

Bernard, a lifelong farmer, raised hogs, sheep and dairy cows with his sons and daughters, was involved in little league baseball and softball with all his children. After retirement from his dairy after 40 years he and Sharon moved to town where he continued farming until death. Bernard loved farming with his son Todd on the home farm. He was a member of Elks, the Eagles Club and Dairy Farmers of America. He enjoyed playing Legion baseball, softball for many years, hunting, watching grandkids play softball, Nebraska football and basketball and was a avid pitch player with many of his dear friends and family.

Bernard is survived by: wife of 60 years, Sharon Koetter; sons, Michael (Merry) of McCook, Nebraska and Todd (Lisa) of McCook, Nebraska; daughters, Sara (David) Blankenship of Minneapolis, Kansas, Lisa (Terry) Einspahr of McCook, Nebraska and Juli (Darin) Newquist of Bothell, Washington; brothers, Arthur and Richard of McCook, Nebraska and Jim (Barb) of Pocatello, Idaho; sister, Veldron Harmon of McCook, Nebraska; grandchildren Nicole ,Kayla, Chance, Trina, Kirk, Justin, Jessica and Amanda; great grandchildren Araceli, Adrian and a host of family and friends.

Bernard was a good man, hard working farmer who was loved by many and will be missed by all.

Bernard was preceded in death by: parents, Arthur and Mary Koetter; sister, Rose and husband Gene Doyle, brother-in-law Beanie Harmon; sister-in-laws Pat and Marilyn Koetter and infant twins, Mark and Mary.

Interment was in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, McCook, Nebraska.