Wendel Oetting Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Wendel Wayne Oetting, 73 of Higginsville, Missouri was called to Heaven on Sunday, August 23, 2020, at his home. He was born Sunday, June 22, 1947 in Kansas City, Missouri, and was the son of the late Louis Oetting Sr. and the late Lorna Oetting (Alewell). Wendel grew up on a dairy farm outside Concordia, MO and graduated from Concordia High School in 1965. He studied Agriculture Business at Central Missouri State University and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in 1969. He married Jan Oetting (Eggers) on March 6, 1971. They loaded everything they owned including the wedding gifts into Wendel's 1970 Ford Torino and moved to Houston, MO. Wendel took a job with Farmers Home Administration as a County Agent. In the mid-1970's he and Jan moved to Higginsville and he took a position with Aid Association for Lutherans (now Thrivent), as an Insurance Representative, retiring in 1997. Wendel was an entrepreneur; in 1985 Wendel and Jan started Higginsville Mini Storage, expanding and growing the business into what it is today. In 2005 he started selling Kidwell Granite monuments and headstones. Wendel may not have been the most vocal person about his spirituality, but he had a relationship with God and loved Jesus. He was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and a past Elder. He also served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Wendel loved western movies and tv shows, but even more he loved his cowboy boots. It was a rare sight to see him in anything other than his trusted boots. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a proud member of the NRA and Quail Unlimited. He spent a lot of time with friends and family on quail and pheasant hunting trips. He enjoyed hunting turkey and deer as well, and long days on the water fishing. Wendel enjoyed social gatherings; he would host fish fries, BBQ's or cookouts and really loved all his coffee drinking buddies. But sometimes Wendel just needed the calmness and serenity of solitude with a day alone in his shop to gather his thoughts. He could be found in his shop tinkering on projects, woodworking, or refinishing old furniture. He especially loved his restored Massey Ferguson tractor and would be known to till anybody's garden that asked. At the end of any day, Wendel was ready to go home. His family always came first. He dearly loved his wife, children, and grandchildren. His family and God came before all. Surviving are his wife, Jan Oetting of the home; one son, Chris (Tiffany) Oetting of Edwards, CO; one daughter, Carrie (Chris) Woods of Lee's Summit, MO; four brothers, Ron (Virginia) Oetting of Overland Park, KS, Bill (Frieda) Oetting of Olathe, KS, Louis (Marty) Oetting, Jr. of Concordia, MO and Harold (Susie) Oetting of Concordia; one sister, Marilyn (Paul) Holsten of Higginsville; four grandchildren, Lilah and Laney Woods, and Chloe and Corwin Oetting. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 28, 2020 at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Kurt Brandon officiating. Interment will occur at a later date in St. Matthews Cemetery, Ernestville, MO. The family will gather and socialize with friends from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, August 29, 2020, at the American Legion Hall, Higginsville. Services are open to the public but masks and social distancing are highly encouraged. Because of the strong passion Wendel had for conservation, wildlife education, and hunting and fishing, a scholarship fund has been created to honor a worthy student's dreams to pursue a career in such. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Wendel Oetting Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Wood & Huston Bank or Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Wendel Oetting

June 22, 1947 - August 23, 2020