Otto Percy Rademacher

McCOOK LAKE, S.D. -- Otto P. Rademacher, 76, of McCook Lake passed away Saturday, July 25, 2009, peacefully with his family at his side.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Riverside Lutheran Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Chuck Wolff officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, with military rites will be given by Whiting, Iowa American Legion Post #481. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 5 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.christysmith.com .

Otto was born to George and Alvina (Stern) Rademacher on a farm south of Clayton, S.D. on October 30, 1932. He was brought up in the Lutheran faith and attended country school in the Clayton area.

Otto attended high school in Freeman, S.D., where he lettered in basketball and graduated with the class of 1950. Following high school, he attended South Dakota State University. Otto served his country as a sergeant in the United States Army during the Korean conflict and was stationed in Japan. He returned to SDSU and received his bachelor of science in 1956 and master's in 1964. He then went on to earn his specialist in education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1972.

Otto began his teaching career in Scotland, S.D., where he taught vocational agriculture, as well as high school science. He married Violet Weiland and they moved to Whiting, Iowa, where Otto served as high school principal and later superintendent of Whiting Community Schools from 1964 to 1980.

In the summer of 1980, Otto and Vi moved to McCook Lake.

Otto went into the typewriter business with his son Tom in 1974, forming the company that is today known as Midwest Office Automations. Otto served as president from 1975-2000. Otto retired in December of 2008.

Otto was very active in the Siouxland community. He served as Downtown Rotary president from 1994-1995. Otto was named a Paul Harris fellow in 1995. Otto has served as past president of the Siouxland chapter of Junior Achievement as well. He was also very active in ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) and was recently awarded a five year volunteer certificate. Otto was also an active member of the Isaac Walton League at McCook, serving as past president of the Lake Association.

Otto was very active in his church, Riverside Lutheran, serving as past chairman of the board, as well as activity chair. He found great peace and comfort in his last days when visited by his dear friend, the Rev. Chuck Wolff.

Otto was an avid sports fan. He held inaugural season tickets to the Kansas Speedway, as well as the Sioux City Explorers. He was also a big follower of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Bulls and Chicago Cubs. One of his greatest interests in life was baseball, either live, on TV or on the radio. Otto played on Freeman's men's baseball team for many years, he was an outstanding player.

Otto loved to hunt and fish. One of his favorite annual trips was to the Black Hills to hunt antelope with his nephews, Greg, Brad, Mark and Ronnie. He also liked to hunt pheasants back on the home place in South Dakota with brother, Bob, son-in-law, Randy, grandson-in-law, Dave, and grandson, Zach. He enjoyed a Canadian fishing trip with his son, Tom, and grandson,Tommy in 2007.

Otto was a huge supporter of his family, rarely missing a ball game or family event. His greatest joy in life was watching his grandchildren play in sports activities. He made it a priority even to his last days to attend their events.

Otto was a very positive person, he clearly saw the good in people and gave everyone a second chance. He will be remembered as a kind, generous and loving man.

He is survived by his son, Tom Rademacher and wife Carol of Sergeant Bluff; daughters, Teri Rademacher of McCook Lake and Tammy Uttecht and husband Randy of Pierce, Neb.; grandchildren, Jen Vanderloo and husband John, Tami McKelvey and husband Bill, all of Sergeant Bluff, Tommy Rademacher and wife Kelli of Orlando, Fla., Mindy Kroll and husband Dave of Sioux Falls, S.D., Katie Uttecht and Zach Uttecht of Pierce, Neb.; great-grandchildren, Blake Lynch, Payton Fine, Kamryn Rademacher and Tanner McKelvey; brother, Bob Rademacher and wife Jean of Huron, S.D.; sister, Brigitta Hofer and husband Larry of Bridgewater, S.D.; brothers-in-law, Don Weiland and wife Gladys of Rapid City, S.D., Frank Weiland of Logan, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Marie Ulmer and husband Merritt of Menno,S.D., Valeria Weiland of Rapid City and Carol Muell and husband John of Logan, Iowa; various cousins, nieces and nephews. Otto is also survived by dear friends, Diana Linden and Joanie Keener.

Otto was preceded in death by his parents, George and Alvina (Stern) Rademacher; and his wife, Vi in 1991.

Pallbearers will be Frank Weiland, Bob Rodman, Terry Bernhardt, Mark Weiland, Ronnie Clough, Randy Shideler, Tommy Rademacher and Zachary Otto Uttecht. Honorary pallbearers will be Jen Vanderloo, Tami McKelvey, Mindy Kroll and Katie Uttecht.

Memorials may be directed to the family.