Otto Weigel

Otto Weigel a devoted husband, loving father, lifelong house painter, and passionate outdoorsman, passed away peacefully at Hillcrest Nursing Home on May 5, 2025, at the age of 87. Otto was born to Otto and Ethyl (Hedke) Weigel Sr. in McCook, Nebraska on February 6, 1938. He lived his entire life in McCook graduating from McCook High School in 1957. He married Vicky (Skiles) May 31, 1959, at the Wilsonville Methodist Church. He lived a life rich with color—both in the homes he painted, and, in the memories, he created with family and friends.

Painting was more than a profession for Otto; it was a craft, a dedication, and a way of leaving his mark on the world. But beyond his work, he found joy in the simple pleasures—sharing coffee or whiskey with good friends, making fishing lures with careful precision, and embracing the camaraderie of a regatta with his McCook and lake friends.

The great outdoors was his true haven. Whether hunting or fishing with his 3 boys, Mike, Pat and Shawn, his father, and nephews, he relished every adventure. One of Otto's greatest joys was building the family lake cabin in 1963 with his dad at Harry Strunk Lake. Countless stories could be told of hunting trips to Wyoming and the unforgettable escapades that followed at the cabin —mishaps, triumphs, and shenanigans that brought laughter for years.

A devoted family man, Otto and his beloved wife of 66 years, Vicky, were unwavering supporters of their sons' sporting events, attending every event—including national meets—with pride and enthusiasm. Their presence was a constant, a testament to their boundless love and encouragement.

Otto will be deeply missed but forever remembered in the laughter of shared stories, the strokes of a well-painted wall, and the quiet serenity of a fishing line cast into the water.

Preceding him in death are his parent; his mother and father-in-law, Orville and Elaine Skiles; sisters, Norma (Glen) Menu, Marilyn Proschaska and Nona Leitner; and nephew, Ed Menu.

He is survived by his loving wife, Vicky; his three sons, Mike (Val) Weigel of Omaha, Pat Weigel of Omaha, Shawn (Buffey) Weigel of Kansas City, MO and their 5 loving grandkids, Rebecca (Jason) Ritterbush of Omaha, Emily Weigel of Omaha, PJ Weigel of Omaha, Connor Weigel of Omaha, Lainee Weigel of Kansas City, MO; along with three great-grandchildren, Gabbie Ritterbush, Roman and Leon Ponce of Omaha; brothers-in-law, Gary (Marti) Skiles of Redmond, OR and Doug (Shary) Skiles of McCook, Don Leitner of Boulder, CO and their adoptive family, Brad (Sharleen) Riemenschneider of McCook along with a host of family and friends who will continue to honor his life and legacy.

Visitation will be held on Sunday afternoon, May 11, 2025, from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. Funeral Services are scheduled for 11:00 AM on Monday morning, May 12, 2025, at Memorial Methodist Church in McCook. Burial in Riverview Cemetery in McCook will follow services where loved ones will gather to celebrate his remarkable journey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Otto's name are suggested to Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook or to the McCook Humane Society. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.

May his memory live on in the tales of adventures told, in the friendships shared over coffee and whiskey, and in every brushstroke of a life well-lived.