Sheila Ottun

Sheila Rae (Ummel) Ottun, 88, of Sargent, NE left her earthly life and entered her eternal home with her Lord and Savior surrounded by her family, Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Valley County Health Systems Ord, Nebraska.

Sheila was born to Clarence and Sylvia (Cherry) Ummel on September 23, 1935, in Cumro, Nebraska. Sheila grew up in a Christian home and made a personal decision to trust Jesus as her Savior in Sunday School class at age 9. She attended the Sunny Slope and Flat Bottom School Districts through eighth grade after which she went to Mason City High School, graduating in 1953.

In the fall of 1953, she began teaching in one-room schoolhouses. Her first school was Upper Catcreek where she had nine pupils. While teaching at Catcreek she continued to pursue her teaching certificate through Kearney Teachers College. She taught in rural one-room schools for seven years. The schools included Catcreek, Mount Olive/Burr Oak, and Snake Run.

In December of 1954, she met Darrel Ottun. They went on their first date to Homeward Trail Bible Camp on April 6, 1955. They were married on August 21, 1960, at Burr Oak Church. The Lord blessed them with five children, 14 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

In 1970, having a young family and a deep desire to ground them spiritually, Darrel and Sheila along with Darrel's bothers famlies were instrumental in starting the Evangelical Free Church of Sargent, in which Shiela was a faithful and active member. She used her gift of teaching to invest in children, teaching Sunday School for much of her life. Later in her life she was a para-educator at Round Valley until it closed. Her love for children kept her young as she continued teaching at the preschool in the Sargent Evangelical Free Church for several years. Following the loss of Darrel in 2015, she volunteered at Valley County Hospice for 5 years.

Sheila had a great love for Jesus and her family. She was instrumental in leading her children to the Lord. She was an avid gardener and with the gift of hospitality, she was always cooking and baking for the many visitors who graced her home.

Sheila was preceded in death by her husband Darrel and her parents.

Sheila is survived by her brother Dennis (Sharon) Ummel; sisters-in-Law Donna Jacobsen and Anita Ottun; son, David (Cindy) Ottun and their children Tavis Ottun; Tessa (McKee) Sitts and their children Jordan and Josie; daughter Caroline (Larry) Folkers and their children Elizabeth (Aidan) Bentley, Daniel, Kathryn, and Justin; daughter Rebecca (Trent) Stimpert and their children Abby and Hannah; daughter Mary (Jonathan) Simpson and their children Jessica (Jake) Heck and their children Jethro and Jude, Aaron and (Alyssa) and their children Shiloh and Ivy; and Andrianna (Jamie) Mize; son Paul (Stacy) Ottun and their children Hope, Elsie, and Grant; a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sargent Evangelical Free Church, with Pastor Jon Simpson officiating. Interment will follow at the Round Valley Cemetery. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow. Memorials may be given to Homeward Trail Bible Camp of Mason City, NE or Valley County Hospice.