Jill Georgia Oetken (July 25, 1946 – July 27, 2026)

Jill Georgia Oetken, 80, died on July 27, 2026. She was born in Fremont Nebraska in 1946 to George and June Feese. Jill attended Alma High School before studying nursing at Immanuel Deaconess Institute and going to work at Immanual Hospital.

Jill was preceded in death by her parents George and June Feese and is survived by husband Harold (Arch) Oetken, son D. Joe Oetken (Heidi), grandson Jacob Oetken (Deirdre), brother Phil Feese (Fia), and sister Marji Engle (Nelson).

Jill met the love of her life in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Florence, Nebraska in the winter of 1968. Arch helped clean the snow off her car, which led to a short courtship starting in June of 1969. They were united in marriage during a snowstorm on December 27, 1969, at the First Christian Church in Alma, NE.

Jill spent most of her professional career caring for patients as a surgical nurse and in the minds of many, “keeping the doctors in order.”

Her love of music led to many years playing hand bells and singing in the choir at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Jill and Arch teamed up to pour their energy into planting, maintaining and enjoying flower and vegetable gardens. Flowers never failed to bring a smile to her face. Companionship has included parrots, cockatiels, rabbits, and numerous cats and dogs, most recently golden-doodles Clyde and Wilbur.

She enjoyed spending time alongside her lifetime partner going to car shows where she and Arch frequently showed their classic cars and visited with like-minded folks. Relaxation often came at the Germain American Society, drinking a good German beer from one of her drinking horns, and showing off one of her leather purses Arch also made. Visits to the Millard Senior Center expanded her circle of friends and introduced her to the card game called Manipulation.

While Arch was active working on cars or gardening outside in the heat, Jill spent time in the air conditioning canning, sewing and embroidering items to share with her friends and acquaintances.

Jill will be remembered for her smile and always-positive attitude. If when you were parting you said “Behave yourself”, she would always respond with “Oh, don’t you spoil my fun!”

Celebration of Life will be held Aug 5, from 5-8pm at John A Gentleman, Pacific Street Location (14151 Pacific Street). Donations to Millard Senior Center would be greatly appreciated.

Source: https://www.johnagentleman.com/obituaries/Jill-Georgia-Oetken?obId=49124038