Rev. David Boettcher

The Rev. David N. Boettcher, 75, of Jackson, passed away Friday, February 17, 2017, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born July 10, 1941, in Shawano, Wisconsin, to Norbert A. and Mabel Sumnicht Boettcher. He and Ruth M. Boelter were married August 27, 1966, in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio.

Rev. Boettcher was raised in Bonduel, Wisconsin. He earned a Masters of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and a Masters of Linguistics from UCLA. He served as a missionary in Nigeria, West Africa and upon returning to the States, pastored three congregations: Bethlehem Lutheran in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Zion in Oconto, Wisconsin, and Christ of the Bay in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He retired in 2007, after 40 years in the ministry.

He liked to fish, travel, and garden, but above all, enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. In 2015, David and Ruth moved to Southeast Missouri to be near their daughter and her family.

Loving survivors include his wife of 50 years, Ruth, of Jackson; two daughters: Joy (Dr. J. Michael) Utzinger of Hampden Sydney, Virginia and Jill (Rev. John) Dehne of Cape Girardeau; four grandchildren: Claire and Eve Utzinger and Eden and Micah Dehne; three brothers: Owen (Dorene) Boettcher of Bloomington, Illinois, Neil (Sharon) Boettcher of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Carl Boettcher of Bonduel, Wisconsin; and a large extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, February 24, 2017, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson; and from 10 a.m. to service time, Saturday, February 25, 2017, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 25, 2017, at the church, with the Rev. Eric Longman officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew Lutheran Missions or St. Andrew Lutheran Support of LCMS Missionaries.