Gottlieb "Gus" Ottmar

Gottlieb E. “Gus” Ottmar, 88, of Devils Lake, ND died Sunday, June 5, 2005 at home in Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Gus will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Justin Schmidt will officiate. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery with Rev. Donald Sauls officiating and Military Honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation on Thursday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Pallbearers will be Clarence Toso, LeRoy Ottmar, Jason Toso, Justin Toso, Dean Toso and Troy Bridgford. Honorary Pallbearers will be Allen Sauls and Thaddaeus Sauls. Music will be provided by Russell Pearson, Soloist, Congregational Hymns and Mavis Blake, Organist Gus was born January 27, 1917, to Wilhelm and Karolina (Junker) Ottmar Jr. on a farm by Mott, ND and attended school in Mott. Gus worked as a lineman for Bell Telephone before joining the United States Army in March of 1941 and was in the Army when World War II broke out. He was a Corporal in the 751st “Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gunner” Division, stationed in the Carolina Islands. He served 4 years and 8 ½ months before he was honorably discharged in November of 1945. In 1946 he went to school in Chicago, Illinois to study electrical work. He worked as an electrician for a small company in Mott and later became a Master Electrician. In 1957, he began working for the Bureau of Reclamation in Devils Lake and worked there until his retirement in 1982. After his retirement, he continued to do various wiring jobs. Gus was united in marriage to Esther Voll on January 27, 1947 in Wibaux, Montana. Gus was a faithful, lifetime member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. During his more productive years, he was active in the Voters’ Assembly, sometimes holding office. He also did “gratis” wiring jobs for his church. His favorite hymn was “How Great Thou Art.” His favorite pastime was playing rummy with his grandchildren. Gus is survived by his wife, Esther of 58 years. Daughters: Sandra and her husband, Pastor Donald Sauls, Cross Plains, Indiana Linda and her husband, Clarence Toso, Devils Lake Son: LeRoy Ottmar, Devils Lake Grandchildren: Candice (Troy) Bridgford, Allen Sauls, Thaddaeus Sauls and Chrystal Sauls; Dean (Amy) Toso, Jason Toso and Justin Toso; Great Grandchildren: Riley Galloway, Abby Toso, Kyleigh Toso and Kole Toso He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Wilhelm III in infancy, William, Edward and Reinhold and a sister also in infancy. Memorials may be directed to the Lutheran Heritage Foundation, 51474 Romeo Plank Road, Macomb, Michigan 48042. For more information go to the internet and Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Friends may sign the on-line register book at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com