James L. Otto

Memorial service for James L. Otto, 76, of rural Gilbert, will be 1pm Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert with Pastor John Dietz officiating. Friends may gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Military honors will be accorded by the Gilbert VFW Post. A gathering will follow the service at the Gilbert VFW Post. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Beaver Cemetery in Beaver Township, Minnesota. James died Thursday, March 8, 2018 at his residence surrounded by family following a heroic battle with cancer. Jim was born June 19. 1941 in Radium, Minnesota to Bill and Margaret Otto. He attended high school in Gilbert. Jim married his best friend Blanche Tesarek on December 11, 1963 in Roseau, MN. He served in the Army and then the Naval Sea Bee’s from 1959-1972. Later he worked in the Carpenters Local in Arizona and Minnesota until 1988. He was then hired as a welder at Eveleth Tac and retired from United Tac as a truck driver in 2009. Jim loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and riding motorcycle. His greatest love was his trike that was rebuilt for him by his nephew, Donny. He loved his family and adored his grandchildren. He loved telling them tales to see if they would believe him. He also had a great love of giving his daughter-in-law, Cathy, who is from the south a hard time. Survivors include his wife Blanche, children: Lee (Cathy) Otto and Cathy Sumner of Gilbert and Dan Otto of Buckeye, AZ; brothers: Walt (Grace) of Il, Richard (Michelle) of Gilbert and Fred of AR; five grandchildren: James (McKenzie) Sumner of Reserve, LA, Tracy Sumner of Crookston, MN, Madison Sumner of Lynchburg, VA and Megan and Nicholas Otto of Buckeye, AZ; three great grandchildren: Harley, Jacob and Adeline; numerous nieces and nephews. Jim in preceded in death by his daughter, Cindy; his parents, Bill and Margaret; sisters: Adeline Spaeth and Caroline Otto; brothers: Cliff and Bill Otto.