Kendal Oerter

1937 - 2025

Kendal Oerter

December 14, 1937 - October 5, 2025

Kendal Oerter died on Oct. 5, 2025, after a fulfilling life spent with two loving wives, four children, nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, other family members and many friends.

He was born in Fairbury on Dec. 14, 1937. He grew up on the family farm located between Thompson and Reynolds, Nebraska. School began at Buckley District 13 through the 8th grade, and he graduated from Fairbury High School in 1954. Ken contracted polio when he was 8 years old. He spent a year in Omaha receiving treatment before returning home to the farm. During his school years, Ken was active in 4-H and FFA. He was an FFA Nebraska State Farmer as a senior. Matriculation at the University of Nebraska followed high school, where Ken was a member of Alpha Gamma Sigma fraternity on the east campus. There he met Vesta Shay and whom he married on Dec. 21, 1957. Following a year of teaching at Filley, he drove a Rainbow bread truck in McCook. In 1964, Ken accepted a position with the USDA at Farmers Home Administration and was assigned to positions in Red Cloud, Clay Center and Neligh. Little League Baseball and softball coaching, 4-H club leadership as well as being a member of the Masonic Lodge were activities enjoyed in Neligh. In 1978, he became the District Director for Farmers Home in North Platte, where he retired in 1995. After Vesta died in 2005, Ken married Diane Finch in 2007.

Ken enjoyed dancing, square dancing, golf, bridge, hunting, fishing, and other social activities throughout his lifetime. Winters were spent in Arizona for several years, where friends were made and good times were enjoyed. He was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church, Kiwanis, and NARFE in North Platte. Ken also had 30 years of volunteer service to the North Platte RSVP (Ready to Serve Volunteer Program), where he particularly enjoyed taking meals to those in need.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Maxine Oerter; his first wife, Vesta; and his brother, Ron.

Survivors include his wife Diane of North Platte; brother, Doyle (Kim) of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; his sister, Nancy (Bill) Hill of Dalhart, Texas; children, Martin (Cindy) of Sun Lakes, Arizona, Curtis (Nancy) of Hastings, Thomas (Norma) of Hickman, Karen (Pibul) Pratumwon of Mahtomedi, Minnesota, Craig (Brenda) Manley of Morrill, and Tracy DeLaet of Broken Bow.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the First United Methodist Church in North Platte. Online condolences may be shared at adamsswanson.com.

Funeral service is at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Michael Evans officiating. Service will be livestreamed at adamsswanson.com. Book signing is from noon to 6 p.m., with family receiving friends 5-6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.