LIberty "Libby" Pearl Ottun

Liberty (Libby) Pearl Ottun infant daughter of Philip and Sharon, born September 5, 2022, passed away November 4, 2022, at the Jennie M Melham Memorial Medical Center in Broken Bow, NE.

Funeral services will be Thursday, November 10, 2022, at 1:00 pm at the Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Tim Peterson officiating. Burial will be in the Round Valley Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Homeward Trail Bible Camp. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Govier Brother Mortuary in Broken Bow, NE. Govier Brother Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com.

Dear Precious Liberty Pearl,

You won't get this letter, but it sure helps us to write it.  You are a precious treasure God gave our family.  We have viewed you as that since the moment we found out about you on December 28^th of last year.  Daddy had just gotten out of the hospital from being really sick and we knew God was going to take care of us.  You were our sparkle of joy through the winter months.  You helped feed a lot of cattle throughout the winter in mommy's tummy and you didn't even know it.  All summer we looked forward to meeting you.  Then the hot, dry summer was filled with sadness at the loss of Uncle Kory.  Yet in this time of deep grieving, we eagerly anticipated your arrival.

You joined our family on September 5, 2022, at 12:42 p.m.  It was a bright and sunny summer day without a cloud in the sky and we knew life was going to be good again.  Daddy and Mommy were overjoyed.  Aunt Tammy brought Ruby, Ella, and Oliver to greet you right away . . . they were so excited.  They begged to hold you every day.  Ruby was so excited to "babysit" you in the swing every chance she got.  Ella was always asking "Does Baby like her sister?", "What does the Baby say?", and "Does Baby Liberty know Jesus?" Now we tell her, "Yes, she does."  Oliver loved giving you multitudes of kisses on your head.  He would also point at you and grunt and then pat his chest to let people know that you were his baby.  All six of us enjoyed several “Sunday Fun Days” that included watching nature, and one ride down a minimum maintenance road with a picnic supper.  It got dark on us as we were riding home and we stopped to look at the magnificent stars and commented that "Jesus is such a good artist" . . . but we already knew that because he is the Creator of all good things including you, our beautiful baby (Psalm 139:13-16). You got to help Mom rake hay a couple of times (sunshine and vibrations on tractor rides make for excellent naps).  To be honest, you were shaping up to be a really good cowgirl.  I guess God needed a little cowgirl like you because He took you home.

Grandma Anita came out to see you several times and loved holding you.  She was such a help bringing us meals and washing dishes.  Grandpa and Grandma Busenitz came to visit in September.  Grandpa smiled big when he saw you and Grandma spent the day helping Mom with one hand and holding you with the other (Grandmas are good at that type of thing). Mommy will always treasure the hug you gave her two days before you went to see Jesus.  Daddy will never forget holding you through church as you slept last Sunday.

For 60 short days you graced our home and what we wouldn't give to have you for 60 more years.  On November 4, you and your siblings all woke up at 6:30 am and we snuggled in Daddy and Mommy's bed for 20 minutes before getting up.  This tradition has become one of God's precious gifts to us (Daddy always said he was glad we had a king-sized bed).  That morning there was a dusting of snow, ever-so-light and beautiful, and it was cold.  Your sisters and brother were so excited to get snow.  As quickly as the snow came, it went.  And so did you, quietly in your sleep.  As the sun came out and warmed the earth, your day became more beautiful as you are now in Heaven, being held by Jesus who loves the little children even more than we can fathom.  

You now have had the privilege of meeting Grandpa Gaylord Ottun and Uncle Kory Kitt.  But you are so greatly missed by your daddy and mommy (Philip and Sharon Ottun), your siblings: Ruby, Ella, and Oliver; Grandma Anita Ottun; Grandpa Harold and Grandma Mary Busenitz; Aunt April Kitt, and daughters: Karina, Annalise, and Koralee; Uncle Fred and Aunt Rhoda Woods and children: Isannah, Brigham, Truman, and Marilla; Uncle Sterling Ottun and daughter Maria; Uncle Gentry and Aunt Joy Friesen and children Jace, Kinsley, Roddek, and Kinta; Uncle Dalen and Aunt Tammera Moody and children Alyissa, Lane, and Rylen; Uncle Nate and Aunt Sandra Schroeder and children Kasodi, Raeginn, Rustin, Bristol, Cole, and Grant; Uncle Aaron and Aunt Leah Busenitz and children Landrey, Finley, and new baby coming soon.

We will see you again, our precious little Baby Bear. 

Love, Your Daddy and Mommy, (Philip and Sharon Ottun) Ruby, Ella, and Oliver