F. "Otis" Ward

Frederick “Otis” Ward, 83, of Lexington, Nebraska passed away on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at the Colonial Villa in Alma, Nebraska. Otis was born July 20, 1938 in Lexington, Nebraska to Cecil Otis and Anna Frieda Augusta (Camin) Ward. He was baptized August 14, 1938 at the Christ Lutheran Church in Oconto and was confirmed there on April 6, 1952. Otis attended rural school near Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1956. He was united in marriage to Sherilyn Marie Hanson on February 26, 1965 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington. To this union twins were born: Susanne and Steven. On October 18, 1961 Otis entered the US Army and served his country until being honorably discharged on September 22, 1967. He was a sharpshooter and served in Germany. He and his son Steve were able to travel to Washington DC on the Hero Flight together. Otis worked as a carpenter with Howard Hanson and loved doing remodeling on his home. He then was hired by Dawson County Public Power where he was a lineman from October of 1966 until his retirement in July of 2000. Otis loved his horses and rode with the Plum Creekers for over twenty-five years. He also was instrumental in getting his daughter, niece and nephew to join the Plum Creekers. He also helped with Reenactment ride with the Pony express. He loved to go back packing on horses in the mountains of Colorado with his brother-in-law John Caldwell and a group of guys from Lexington. Later in life he enjoyed panning for gold with his brother-in-law, John in Colorado. Otis loved to be with his grandkids, he loved to show them the great outdoors from camping, fishing to riding horses. Otis was a member of the Lions Club and the Sons Of The American Revolution. Survivors include his wife, Sherilyn Ward, of Alma, Nebraska; his children, Steven Ward of Omaha and Susanne (Gary) Janssen of Alma; three grandchildren, Blaine (Allison) Janssen of Alma, Brent (fiancé Brooke Hough) Janssen of Alma and Brandie (Troy) Bland of Grand Island; sister-in-law, Mary Ward of Bloomington, Colorado; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, extended family and friends. Besides his parents, Otis was preceded in death by his brother, Donald Ward; sister, Mary Ann Ward; daughter-in-law, Nancy Wescott; brothers and sisters in-law: Collen & John Caldwell, J.R. & Ann Hanson, Jim & Bev Hanson and father and mother-in-law, Howard and Marie Hanson. Funeral Services will be on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church at Buffalo with Pastor Vic Rasmussen, officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 from 5-7 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington. Interment with Military Honors will be in Christ Lutheran Cemetery near Oconto, Nebraska. Memorials are kindly suggested to the First Lutheran Church at Buffalo or Heartland Museum in Lexington. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com