Emil B. Otting Jr., age 74, of Dubuque, passed away at 12:55 a.m., on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at home with his loving family by his side. In keeping with Emil’s wishes, burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery with full military honors accorded by the American Legion Post 6 at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street is assisting his family.

Emil was born on February 8, 1950, in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Emil Bernard and Anna Mae (Chapman) Otting Sr.

Emil lived in Dubuque his entire life where he attended Holy Ghost Grade School. After school, Emil proudly served his country in the U.S. Army on active duty for 2 years during the Vietnam War, and with the Army Reserves for another 20 years. He married Ruby Ward on August 2, 1969, at St. Mary’s Church. They built a wonderful life together and were blessed with 4 children and several grandchildren. Sadly, Ruby preceded Emil in death on October 5, 2018. Emil devoted his working career to Georgia Pacific, happily retiring after 47 years. He was a long time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubuque where he volunteered helping with Bingo and cleaning the school. Emil loved his family and playing with the grandkids was one of his favorite activities. He was very loved and will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.

Those left to cherish Emil’s memory include: his daughters, Kathy (Tim Loeffelholz) Reuter, Billie Jo Pospisil and Elizabeth (Shane) Vargas; his grandchildren, Nicolette (Robbie) Lange, Stephanie (Andrew) Maas, Brent Otting, Bristol Reuter, Stacie Jo Otting, Sydnie (Jerrell) Wardell, Emilie Pospisil and Timothy Pospisil; 7 great-grandchildren, Constance Lange, Lilyanna Otting, Lillian Lange, Amiyah Purnell, Micah Webb, Karianna Wardell and Ariah Webb; his siblings, Betty Otting, Rosemary Heim, Phillip (Melissa) Otting, Grace Brade, Helen (Mark) Mitchley and Christine (Kevin) Lyght; and his in-laws, Peggy Otting, Phyliss (Loras) Arensdorf, Gail (Chris) Huston, Raymond (Beverly) Ward, Cletus Ward, Ronald Ward Sr. and Eleanor Ward.

Emil was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruby Otting; a son, Brian Otting; a grandson, Darren Bell; his father-in-law, and mother-in-law, Donald and Minnie Ward; his siblings, Sylvester Otting, Margaret (Johnny) Maize, Raymond Otting, Mary (Richard) Weber, Rachel Bartels; and his in-laws, Donald Ward Sr., Richard Ward, John Ward and Gary Ward.

Emil’s family would like to thank all of the wonderful people from Hospice of Dubuque for helping Emil and the family these past few weeks.

The family will thankfully receive your support through greeting cards and memorials in Emil’s memory which may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Emil Otting Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com