Rev. David Boettcher

The Rev. David N. Boettcher, 75, of Jackson passed away Friday, Feb. 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 Aug. 27, 1966, in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio.

David was raised in Bonduel, Wisconsin. He earned a master of divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and a master of linguistics from the University of California, Los Angeles.

He served as a missionary in Nigeria, West Africa, and upon returning to the States, pastored three congregations: Bethlehem Lutheran in Milwaukee; 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 Boettcher of Jackson; two daughters, Joy (Dr. J. Michael) Utzinger of Hampden Sydney, Virginia, and Jill (the 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 and Carl Boettcher of Bonduel; and a large extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 10 a.m. to service time Saturday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday 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 Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Missionaries.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.