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OTHO - Earnest Marion Dutcher, 82, of Otho died on Sunday, December 13, 2009 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice House. The funeral service will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at the Otho Kalo Community Church with Pastors John Elkin Sr. and Berle Vinchattle officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The visitation will be from 5 to 8 P.M. on Wednesday at the Otho Kalo Community Church. Arrangements have been entrusted with Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Earnest was born in Dayton, IA on August 30, 1927 to Francis and Zola (Ward) Dutcher. He grew up in Lehigh. He joined the Navy and was in the service for 15 months. He worked for USG for 40 years. He married Ellen Spain and was later divorced. He then married Audrey Pringle on December 22, 1962 and they made their home in Otho. He was a member of the Otho Kalo Community Church for 25 years and served as a Deacon for many years. He served on the Otho City Council for 20 years; he was the past president of the Otho Senior Citizens, a member of the Otho Betterment Committee, co-chairman of the Otho Centennial Committee. He enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, playing softball, gardening and bowling.

Earnest is survived by his wife Audrey; daughters Linda Dutcher-Warren of Des Moines, IA and Jean Dutcher of Fort Dodge; son Larry Dutcher of California; step-sons Monte (LaVonne) Pringle of Fort Dodge and Marty (Nancy) Pringle of Otho, IA; 9 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters Arlene (Gene) Herrick of Lehigh, IA, Darlene (Frank) Banwart of Lake Mills, IA and Vera Smith of Mesa, AZ and many nieces, nephews and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents Francis and Zola; sister Barbara Eldridge; brother James Dutcher; step-daughter Marcia Pringle-Jones and grandson Clint Pringle.

Memorials may be left to the family for their further discretion.