Christine Ottmar

Christine (Schilling) Ottmar, 95, died on August 26, 2018, at Maranatha Village in Springfield, Missouri.

Christine was born October 29, 1922, on the family farm, near Venturia, North Dakota. She was the youngest child of George and Katharina Woehl Schilling, immigrants of German ancestry who came to the United States from South Russia (now Ukraine) around the turn of the 20th century. Christine and her siblings were first-generation Americans, but kept many traditions associated with the Germans from Russia culture. Christine always was most comfortable speaking in the German dialect of her home.

Christine was baptized November 17, 1922, at the rural St. John’s Lutheran Church. Early education was received at the Blumenthal Rural School and religious instruction at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. She was confirmed there on June 14, 1936.

As a young woman, she spent time as a “mother’s helper” to older sisters Emma and Martha. When her parents retired and moved into Wishek, North Dakota, she lived with them until her marriage, working at the Auto-Inn Hotel. She had close, lifelong relationships to all her siblings, nieces and nephews, and many other family members and friends. She married Henry H. Ottmar on October 21, 1945 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Wishek. They purchased a part of the William Ottmar Farm, seven miles southwest of Wishek, operating it until 1981. After Henry’s death in 1986, Christine moved into Wishek, living there until 2012 when she moved to Springfield, Missouri to be near her son Duane and family.

Christine enjoyed a variety of volunteer opportunities and social activities. She was a dedicated member of the Wishek Seniors, serving as the group’s treasurer for many years and regularly working many events. She was also active in the Rachel Circle of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, sewing quilts and serving as the primary “coffee cooker” for many church functions. Christine enjoyed serving refreshments at the Wishek Retirement Home and helped as a care-giver for older family members living there.

Her granddaughters remember her sense of humor that often had them laughing at her comments and anecdotes. They all have fond memories of walking with her to the “L and L”, visiting “the farm” or the park, and sharing her all-time favorite soft-serve ice cream cones at McDonald’s or the McTwist. She played countless hours of board games with all the grandchildren, young and old. Christine was able to see two great-grandchildren grow into their teen years and liked winning treats at her weekly Bingo games to share with them on visits. The toddlers, or “little ones” , as she called them, loved her smiles and being able to “help out” by pushing her for courtyard walks in her wheelchair. She also enjoyed watching the antics of her two “grand-dogs”, calling them the “smart one and the other one!”.

Christine is survived by her son Duane (Linda) Ottmar; three granddaughters, Jamie (Jonathan) Lee, Erin (Drew) Bender, and Cara (Michael Senff) Ottmar, four great-grandchildren, Alex and Katia Lee, Edith and Nolan Bender, and sister-in-law, Dorothy Ottmar. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, siblings John, George, Emma, Rose, Martha, Theodore, Adam and Ida, and many other family and friends.

The funeral service is scheduled for Tuesday, September 4, 2018, 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Wishek, North Dakota with interment at St. Luke’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest memorials be given to the St. Luke’s Cemetery Fund, (107 Centennial Street, Wishek, North Dakota, 58495) , St. Andrews Preservation Committee (℅ Carol Gerber, 8760 34th Ave., SE Wishek, ND 58495), or to the giver’s favorite charity.

Duane and his family wish to sincerely give thanks for all of those who shared their time and allowed Christine to become part of your lives. To the numerous family members and friends over the years who showered her with so many acts of kindness and assistance, it is appreciated more than we can say, and we know she felt very loved. Special thanks, also, to the kind, caring and compassionate staff members of Maranatha Village and Integrity Hospice who supported her these last few months.