Dorothy Mae Oetken

Dorothy Mae Oetken was born March 29, 1934 in Omaha, Nebraska to John and Elsie (Steeden) Christiansen. Dorothy grew up in Papillion, Nebraska where she attended Prairie Queen grade school, and graduated from Papillion High School in 1951. Growing up, she enjoyed baking, cooking, and singing in school. She was so talented that she even took classic opera vocal lessons. Dorothy married Raymond R. Oetken on April 14, 1963 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska, and the couple raised one son, Michael John Oetken, whom they were extremely proud of. The family made their home in Omaha. Dorothy held a variety of jobs throughout her life, working for Northwestern Bell Telephone for 2 years, and Miller & Son Excavating for 13 years, but in 1971, she began working at the Ak-Sar-Ben racetrack, which she loved. She went on to work at the horse race track in Lincoln, Nebraska and even at Oaklawn Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas until age 75. She spent over 37 working at the tracks, and she loved getting to know all of the people involved with all aspects of racing and race day. In addition to her work at the race track, Dorothy was active with the 4-H Club helping with hogs, was President of her Home Owner’s Association in Arkansas, and volunteered at all of her churches; donating baked goods, helping with meals, reading to the Preschool kids (they called her Grandma Dort), and sewing banners, she was a tremendous asset for each church she attended. Dorothy will be remembered as a loving, caring, practical, thoughtful, and giving person. She enjoyed listening to Christian music, and her favorite song was “Amazing Grace”. She was an avid reader, and she kept her mind active by doing crossword puzzles and arts and crafts. She was a great cook, but always looked forward to a good fried chicken dinner, or a night out at Cascio’s. She was proud of the different choral singing group that she was part of in Omaha; the Omaha Choral Society, Omaha Symphonic Chorus, and the Potpourri Singers who performed at Peony Park’s summer pop concerts. You might have heard her exclaim, “Praise the Lord!” now and again. Dorothy passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at the Millard Good Samaritan Home in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 88 years, 8 months, and 8 days. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond, son, Michael, parents John & Elsie Christiansen, and four siblings, an infant sibling, her brothers Rudy and Wilbur Christiansen and sister Donna Green. Dorothy is survived by her daughter-in-law Colleen Oetken, granddaughters Helen Moak and Mary Stockwell, great grandchildren Saoirse Moak, Gabriel, Noah, Anna, and Liam Stockwell, and her siblings; Mildred Richards, Kathy Huscroft, Joan Johnson, Marie Witt, Howard Christiansen, Kenny Christiansen, Larry Christiansen, Robert Christiansen, Beverly Smith, Linda Lynch, and Lois Haldeman, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. Memorials may be directed to Living Hope Church.

Dorothy Mae Oetken

March 29, 1934 - December 6, 2022