Merna M. Oertwig

January 26, 1926 - April 20, 2022

Merna M. Oertwig, 96, of Kearney, died April 20, 2022 at the Mother Hull Home in Kearney. Funeral services will be 10:30 am, April 25, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor James DeLoach and Pastor Doug Gaunt officiating. Burial will follow at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, April 24, 2022 at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Zion Lutheran Church or Zion Lutheran School. Merna was born January 26, 1926 in Miller, Nebraska to Marcus and Erma (Carriker) Fox. The family moved to Atkinson, Nebraska. She graduated from Atkinson High School. Merna would take the train to Omaha to work in the bomber plant during the week and return home for the weekends. On September 11, 1946 Merna was united in marriage with Fred Oertwig in Mankato, Kansas. This union was blessed with two children, Daniel and Cinda. They farmed near Amherst until purchasing a farm southeast of Kearney. Merna and Fred farmed, raised cattle, and began Oertwig Transfer trucking company over the years. She also served banquets at Holiday Inn and Ramada Inn for many years. Merna has been a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney for 70 years and a Concordia L.W.M.L. member. She enjoyed family gatherings, dancing, traveling, and piloting their plane. Merna is survived by her son, Dan (Shirley) Oertwig of Riverdale, NE; daughter, Cinda Ward of Kearney, NE; grandchildren, Misty (Kirk) Nuzum of Norton, KS, Chris Lallman of Phillipsburg, KS, Bret (Jade) Ward of Norton, KS, Brooke (Ryan) Fisher of Amherst, NE, Tracy (Heath) Schake of Kearney, NE, Tanner Oertwig of Kearney, NE; many great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; sisters-in-law, Sheryl Fox of Kearney, NE, Twila (Loren) Bosshamer of Amherst, NE; brother-in-law, Joe Geist of Lincoln, NE. Merna was preceded in death by her husband; brothers, Eldon and Melvin Fox; and sister, Donna Garska.