Otto Robert Kafer, 95, died peacefully in his home in Springfield, Missouri on January 8, 2015. Otto was born in Eureka, South Dakota on July 5, 1919. He was the son of Karl and Caroline (Mettler) Kafer. He grew up in Eureka, South Dakota and Hazelton, North Dakota. He was married to Kathryn Kertzman from Hazelton from 1938 to 1940. They had one son, Bryan Kertzman. At an early age Otto joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), then enlisted in the Army on March 11, 1941. He joined the 194th Tank Battalion in Minnesota. He was stationed at a US Air Force base in the Philippines when he was taken prisoner by the Japanese on April 9, 1942. He was held as prisoner of war for three years until September 13, 1945. He survived the Bataan Death March and prison camp in the Philippines and forced labor on the island of Japan during his time of imprisonment. Otto received many military awards including the Bronze Battle Star and the Purple Heart. Otto was honorably discharged from the Army on May 25, 1946 with the rank of staff sergeant. In 1946 Otto married Antonette Victoria Fischer in Minnesota. The couple lived and worked in the St. Paul area for many years. After retirement, the couple moved to Springfield, Missouri. Otto and Antonette were happily married for 63 years. Antonette died in 2009. Otto is survived by his daughter-in-law, Dena; four grandchildren, Mitchell, Julia, Deann, and Samuel; seven great-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews including Becky and Louie Collodora; and many grandnieces and grandnephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one son, Bryan; two brothers, Hans and Max; and three sisters, Ella, Freida, and Ernee. Services will be held at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4717 South Farm Road 135 (Golden) in Springfield, Missouri with Pastor Ed Lehman officiating on Sunday, January 18, 2015 at four o'clock, with supper to follow at the church. Otto will be buried next to his wife in Roselawn Cemetery in Roseville, Minnesota. Dates for the spring military burial service will be announced at a later date.
