Otto, Earl E. (1915-2005)

OTTO, HUSTEDT, MILLER, MARTEN, MOHN, SARGENT, MCADON, BUHR, SEATON

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 2/19/2010 at 20:46:02

Earl E. Otto - Oct. 1, 1915 - Sept. 18, 2005

Earl E. Otto, age 89, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Sunday, September 18, 2005, at Methodist Manor in Storm Lake.

Earl was born on a farm north of Galva, Iowa, on October 1, 1915, the youngest of nine children born to John W. and Sophie (Hustedt) Otto. He was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church, Hanover, in rural Alta, Iowa, on October 24, 1915. He attended school in rural Cherokee county and at St. John’s Lutheran Church (school) at Hanover where he was confirmed on March 24, 1929. When his father retired, the younger members of the family moved with his parents to Storm Lake in 1934. Earl worked in Storm Lake and at Richard’s Furniture in Spencer.

On June 4, 1941, he married Eleanor Miller. They had three children: James, Nancy and Bruce.

Earl farmed north of Alta for four years. Then in the spring of 1947, he built Otto Furniture on North Lake Avenue in Storm Lake. This area was then just a two-lane paved road with just a couple of small buildings. He opened Otto Furniture for business in September of 1947 and was active in the store for the next 47 years. His son, Bruce, now runs the business.

Earl was a charter member of Grace Lutheran Church in Storm Lake and has been a member of the Storm Lake Rotary Club since 1950, serving as president of the club in 1971—72.

Earl loved to travel and to play golf. His greatest love was his home and family, and he greatly loved his grandchildren.

Preceding Earl in death are his parents; brother Raymond in infancy; brothers Edgar, Ernest, Martin, Harry and Roy; sisters Marie Marten and Sadie Mohn; and one granddaughter, Angela Leigh Otto.

Survivors include his wife of more than 64 years, Eleanor of Storm Lake; son James and wife Janet Otto of Spirit Lake, Iowa; daughter Nancy and husband Craig Sargent of Storm Lake; son Bruce and wife Jane of Storm Lake; grandchildren: Julie and husband David McAdon, David and wife Jennifer Otto, Douglas and wife Jennifer Otto, Alicia and husband Tim Buhr, Jennifer and husband Marcus Seaton, Rachel Otto, Marie Otto, Rochelle Otto and Christina Otto. Earl is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Leila and Paige Seaton, Emma McAdon and Madelyn Otto as well as extended family and many friends.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, September 21, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Storm Lake with Reverend Steven Schulz officiating. Burial will be in Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery at Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends may call at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake on Tuesday, September 20, 2005, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. where the family will be present from 6:00 – 8:00.

Copyright © 2005, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home

Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
 

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