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Alvin G. Oltmanns Wisner, NE QCWA # 10775 Chapter 25 |
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Graveside services for Alvin Oltmanns age 98 of Wisner, NE will be on Friday, October 19, 2018 at the Wisner Cemetery in Wisner, NE with Military Honors by American Legion Post #85 and VFW Post #5767 of Wisner, NE. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Wisner, NE. Minnick Funeral Home in Wisner is handling the arrangements for the family.
Alvin passed away on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at the Wisner Care Center.
Alvin Gerhardt Oltmanns was born in Wisner, Nebraska, on March 11, 1920, to Frederich and Marie (Ahlvers) Oltmanns. There were four older half-brothers and half-sisters, Elmer, Marie, Martha and William. Ten years later there would be a sister, Kathryn Joann. He survived his parents and all his siblings.
Alvin graduated from high school in Wisner, and he spoke fondly studying in science classes. As a young man, he and his brother William ran a gas station on the west end of town. He served in the Army in 1944 to 1945 and was stationed in Texas and Fort Lewis, Washington, but he returned to Wisner where he lived the rest of his life. He farmed for a while with Ozzie Brehmer and also worked for the city, but much of his work was for Chittenden Furniture. He laid carpet, framed pictures, and eventually ran the store for many years. After the furniture store closed, he opened the Frame Shoppe in downtown Wisner.
Alvin was a person with the gift of curiosity. He liked to learn. Although he never ventured far from Wisner (except for his time in the Army), he explored the world as an avid reader. Stacks of National Geographic and similar nonfiction books were particular favorites. He was at heart an intellectual, although he would have soundly rejected and undoubtedly laughed out loud at such an accusation! But he chose to lead the kind of quiet life that allowed him the time and mental energy to pursue an impressive range of interests over the years, and he explored each new interest with focus and dedication. He was a lifelong photographer who learned to develop his own photos in a darkroom he set up at home. He also held the top grade (âAdvancedâ) ham radio license with call sign WOVAA. He collected coins and clocks of all kinds, learned to repair clocks, and eventually built his own grandfather clock. At one point, he even took up counted cross stich embroidery! He enjoyed watching detective shows on television. When the time and topic suited him, he could be counted on to engage in lively conversation about politics, the state of the world, and discoveries made while reading.
Although Alvin did not wear his religion on his sleeve, he was a man with deeply held Christian beliefs. He looked for ways to be of help to his parents, siblings, and neighbors. His nieces and nephews remember their Uncle Alvin lovingly as a kind and good-natured person with a wonderful sense of humor.