Etsell Otto Emde

Etsell Otto Emde of Perry, Oklahoma, passed away at his home May 9, 2010. Etsell finally lost his courageous battle with cancer in his 80th year Etsell was the second child of John and Mary Emde. He was born July 14, 1929, on the family farm just outside of Carney, Ok. He graduated from Stillwater High School in 1947 and attended Oklahoma A&M for three semesters. Etsell and Shirley Jean Bliss were married September 2, 1949 in Stillwater, OK. They moved their family to Perry in 1958 where Etsell worked in the auto parts industry. Etsell began a 20 year career with The Charles Machine Works, Inc. in 1963. Starting out as a district sales rep, Etsell advanced upward through the company as a regional sales manager, manager of technical service and training, manager of marketing services, and head of international sales. Etsell loved the friendships he developed with coworkers and clients while traveling the world for Ditch Witch. After retiring in 1983, Etsell started his own company, Etsell Emde Enterprises. He and Jean purchased a second building downtown and remodeled it for their offices. Self employment allowed Etsell and Jean to travel together, as well as spend more time with their children and grandchildren. Annual trips to Colorado with the grandsons led to the purchase of a cabin in 1991. Etsell loved Colorado and their small piece of heaven there. Etsell always said he would start a new business once he turned 60, and in 1994 at the age of 65, he and Jeannie started EEE Mini Storage. Etsell did not stop there. When most of his peers were winding things down in their life, Etsell ran for and won a seat on the city council. He served on the airport board. He also ran for and became the Mayor of Perry at the young age of 74. Etsell held that office until he resigned in 2006 to spend more time with Jeannie during her bout with cancer. For the first 78 years of his life, few could keep pace with Etsell. His persistence and work ethic were second to none. Etsell had tremendous passion for his family, his work, and his community. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. The pride of his life was his three grandsons. To them, he was the greatest Papaw ever. Etsell invested heavily in their lives and his influence can be seen in each of them. Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, May 14, 2010, at the First Baptist Church in Perry with Reverend Martin Foster officiating. Graveside services will be held at Grace Hill Cemetery. Services have been entrusted to Perry Funeral Home. Immediately following will be a celebration of life in honor of Etsell to be held at Perry Golf and Country Club. Etsell was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, JW Emde of Ardmore, OK., his brother, Fred Emde, of Choctaw, OK., and his beloved son, Troy Douglas Emde. Etsell is survived by his loving wife of sixty years, Shirley Jean Emde, his son, Etsell Otto Emde, Jr. of Tulsa, OK. , his daughter, Jennifer Jean and her husband Rick Vasek, of Bedford, TX., his three grandsons, Julian Preston Vasek of Dallas, TX., Maison Dalton Vasek and his wife, Ashley, of Dallas, TX., Hagen Emerson Vasek, of Bedford, TX. Etsell"s sidekick, Hank Nida and his daughter, Makinzie, both of Perry, and his precious puppy, Sadie Sue. Etsell is also survived by one sister, Mary Daily and husband, Mac, of Rolla, MO., and one brother, Gary Emde of Carney, OK., as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials can be made to Judith Karman Hospice or The American Cancer Society c/o Perry Funeral Home 203 E. Fir. Perry, OK 73077. Condolences may be sent using our online guestbook at www.perrycares.com.

5/14/2010
02:00 PM

Funeral
First Baptist Church

Perry
OK