Sharlene D. Oetinger

Sharlene D. Oetinger, 96, of Topeka, passed away on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. She was born on February 22, 1928 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin the daughter of Rodney and Gertrude (Smith) Gifford. Sharlene was raised in Portage, Wisconsin and lived in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin prior to moving to Kansas. She worked at Dibbles Grocery Store for over 20 years. In 1976 she married Ross Oetinger and moved to Green, Kansas. She raised many dog breeds until 2005 when she returned to Topeka. She was a member of the KSU Extension program working closely with their veterinary program. While living in Topeka she had been a member of Central Park Christian Church.

Sharlene was preceded in death by her husband, Ross Oetinger, a daughter, Shevon “Shelly” Anne Towne, and grandsons: Timothy Alan Viers, John William Geiger and Thomas Karl Baerwald.

Survivors include her four daughters and a step-son: Betty Blazic of Topeka, Kansas, Gail Burch (Ronald) of Ft. Madison, Iowa, Rhonda Baerwald (Karl) of Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, Sheila Mulligan (Tony) of Clay Center, Kansas, and Maurice Towne Jr. (Joyce) of Topeka, Kansas, along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Family visitation will begin at 10:30 on Monday, November 18, 2024. Funeral services will be following starting at 11:00 am at Parker-Price & Davidson Cremations and Funeral Services, 245 NW Independence, Topeka KS 66608.