Obituary of Alfred Otten

ALFRED B. OTTEN STERLING - Alfred Becker Otten, 98, died Friday, June 3, 2011 at Coventry Nursing Home's Garden Rehab Center. Mr. Otten was born in Como on June 21, 1912 and lived in the Sterling area his entire life. He was the eldest of two sons born to Andrew and Mary (Lauts) Otten. Mr. Otten farmed in the Sterling area for over thirty years. He also worked for the National Farmers Organization and Lawrence Brothers Manufacturing retiring from the latter in 1977. Mr. Otten was baptized as an infant at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sterling and remained an active member of the church through his lifetime. He served as a school board member for Jordan Elementary School for several years. On December 15, 1940, he married La Verne Robinson at her family's home in Rock Falls. The couple celebrated sixty-six years of marriage together. Mr. Otten was preceded in death by his father in 1970, his mother in 1978, his brother Lloyd from El Paso, TX in 2003 and his wife La Verne in 2007. He is survived by three daughters, Cynthia Lane, of West Bend, WI, Mary (Gary) Dewey, of Albuquerque, NM and Jo Anne (Raleigh)Stennett, of Van Alstyne, TX; nine grandchildren, Matthew Lane, Jennifer (Paul) Felician, Chandra (Dean) Enright, Benjamin Lane, Nathaniel (Carla) Dewey, Jonathan Dewey, Stacy (Jason) Gunder, Andrea (James) Wigginton, and James (Alejandra) Stennett; three great grandsons and four great granddaughters; one niece, Shirley Otten Ogle; one nephew, Larry (Diane) Otten; and many cousins. Private graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, June 21, 2011, at Oak Knoll Memorial Park with Reverend Judith Huseth of St. Paul Lutheran Church, officiating. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial has been established in his honor. Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com.