Arlis K. Wattier

Preceded in death by her son, Jeremy Wattier; Siblings, Francis Biernbaum, Galen Biernbaum, Keith Biernbaum, and Carla Schmitt; parents, Arthur and Rita Biernbaum.

Survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Michael; children, Brian (Nicole Snyder) Wattier and Erin (Mark) Davies; 5 grandchildren, Kyle, Kierstyn, Roxy, Payton and Avrie; her extended family and many dear friends.



Arlis ‘Ozzie’ Kay Wattier born on June 13, 1952 in Fordyce, NE to Arthur and Rita Biernbaum. Her family lived on a farm in Beldon, NE. She attended a country school until 4th grade when she started attending St Francis School in Randolph, NE. She graduated from St Francis in 1970. Ozzie attended College of St Mary’s in Omaha, NE where she graduated with her nursing degree in 1972. That same year she wed her high school sweetheart, Michael G Wattier on June 10, 1972. They settled in Omaha, NE and started their married life together. She started her nursing career at Bergan Mercy Hospital in the ICU. She worked the night shift until her 3 children, Jeremy, Brian, and Erin were older. She then went to work for a Home Health Company eventually moving over to the Hospice side of the Home Health Care. She worked with hospice patients in their home for 12 years until she started her new job at Nebraska Cancer Specialists. She cared for patients like herself going through cancer and chemotherapy. Ozzie retired 12 years later in Aug 2017. She loved to travel with Michael. They would close their eyes and pick a place on the atlas and go. No plans just the destination. They made many stops along their travels and saw many places. She was an avid reader. And loved her grandchildren. Ozzie had a big personality. The witty comebacks she had could make anyone blush. She had no shame in the filthy things she would say for a laugh and she had a way to fit inappropriate things into terrible situations, just to break the tension or pain. In her final days, she made us laugh while we cried by doing so many funny out there things. And her heart was so enormous! She welcomed everyone in with all of her heart. She made even the most broken person feel like family. Her words will resonate for generations to come and her love will carry on. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on June 29, 2021. She was reunited with her son, Jeremy, and her brothers, a sister, and her parents. Ozzie will be missed!