Otis and Ethel Ward

In memory of Otis (Otie) G Ward and Ethel (“Don’t Look Ethel”) I Ward

Ethel passed away on June 3, 2002, and Otis passed away on December 30, 2023. Otis was born on July 31, 1936, to David and Anna (Wise) Ward in Newton, KS. Ethel was born on November 13, 1939, to Leonard and Nellie (Dimick) Donaldson in Eureka, KS. Those left to cherish their memories are Diana (Ward) and Gary Miller, Cameron, and Reid of Pella, IA. Douglas Ward and Nancy Holloway of Canton, IL. Sister, Helen (Ward) Schumacher, nieces Carol and Sandy of Bourbon, MO. Nieces, Kay (Ward) Keefover of Wichita, KS, and Suzanne Ward of Whitewater, KS.

Otis and Ethel grew up in Potwin, KS and were HS sweethearts. They married on August 1, 1958. Otis enlisted in the Air Force, and they moved to Topeka, KS. Upon Otis’s honorable discharge, they moved with Diana to Newton, KS where Doug was born. Otis worked for Litwin Engineering in Wichita, KS for many years and Ethel began her banking career in Potwin at the Potwin State Bank, then at Midland National Bank in Newton, KS. From there they moved to Whitewater, KS where they lived in town until they built a home right outside of Whitewater. When Litwin re-located to Houston, TX, Otis and Ethel moved there along with many of their friends and co-workers. Upon retirement Otis and Ethel moved to Dixon, Il to be closer to their children, Diana of Rockford, IL and Doug of Canton, IL. Mom and dad made some wonderful friends while living in Dixon.

Mom loved her flowers and vegetable garden. She was a great cook and seamstress. Dad could fix anything. Loved flying, planes, and the Chicago Cubs. And he loved Ethel. Our parents clearly loved each other and their family. They were over the moon when their grandsons came along.

Otis was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and 1 of his sisters. Ethel was preceded in death by her father, her sister, and after she passed, her mother and 3 brothers.

A short memorial service to inter Otis and Ethel’s ashes will be held on Saturday, June 14, at 1 p.m. at the Potwin, KS cemetery. Please join us if you are able.