Richard Edwin Oetken, 97, of Burlington, died Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, at the Klein Center in West Burlington.
Born Oct. 29, 1924, in Burlington, he was the son of Edward D. and Mary A. Bartusch Oetken. Richard was raised on the family farm on Irish Ridge Road five miles north of Burlington. He attended Hunter School, north of Burlington and graduated at the age of 13. Richard’s strong work ethic began at an early age on the family farm. At 15, he decided to leave home and seek employment. He worked on various farms, construction jobs, and assisted in building the Flint Hills Golf Course where he laid the water main and the first nine greens.
Richard was employed husking corn and logging during winter months. Other work experiences included: Gustafson Dairy I.O.A. Foods Manufacturing Company in Cedar Rapids, McGraw Electric in West Chicago, Star Kimble Electric in Burlington, Army Ammunition Plant, construction in Marshalltown, and J.I. Case Co. in Burlington where he worked for 28 years, retiring in 1985. Over the years, he often worked two jobs. Between times he purchased, remodeled and sold six homes.
In 1978, Richard decided to end working two jobs, working only one so he could begin volunteering, helping older individuals. In December 2004, he had to quit this volunteerism due to health reasons.
Richard E. Oetken served in the Iowa State Guard, Co. A, First Regiment. In 1945, he was drafted into the United States Army serving in the 77th Infantry Division, Co. B. In 1946, he was transferred to the Army Air Force and served in the 136th AACS, Iceland Base Command. Corporal Oetken was discharged in 1947 at Army Air Force Base, Westover Field, Massachusetts.
Richard was of the Baptist faith, a member of the Eagles Lodge Aerie 150, Moose Lodge #579, American Legion, a life member of V.F.W. Post #9162 and a Union member of UAW Local 807.
Richard loved music and dancing. He attended many bluegrass, country western and gospel music events. Over the years, he attended four of the Gaither Gospel Music Shows and two Lawrence Welk shows. He loved to attend the Midwest Old Threshers in Mt. Pleasant and in 2001 was the Grand Marshal in the parade. He also enjoyed the shows and visiting all the friendly people. He loved to read many newspapers, farm magazines, and medical books. He enjoyed traveling in his younger years.
Generosity reflects Richard’s character with major contributions to Midwest Old Threshers. He gave generously to most area churches, mission fields in Romania, Notre Dame Schools, Great River Hospice House in West Burlington, Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine, and the Morning Sun Development Corporation.
Richard, being a strong supporter of the military, donated to veteran memorials including: the WWII Memorial site on Division St. in Burlington, Des Moines County Freedom Rock in Mediapolis, American Legion #112 in Morning Sun, VFW Post #10102 in Burlington, and recently the Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre and WWI Soldiers Lot restoration projects in Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington, and many other national memorials and veterans' organizations.
He gave to other area projects like Burlington Friends of the Depot, R.F.D. Postal Museum in Morning Sun, Danville Station Museum & Library, Dover Historical Society in New London, grain rescue equipment for Danville, Yarmouth and West Point Fire Departments. He gave to other area projects which are too many to list.
Proceeding him in death are his parents and two sisters. He is survived by one niece and three nephews.
The Funeral Service for Mr. Oetken will be held at Lunning Chapel on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Larry Dodds officiating. Full military honors will be rendered by Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. Burial will follow at Aspen Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established at Lunning Chapel for Midwest Old Threshers.