Obituary: Richard Otto

Richard Otto

Richard Otto, 86, Carrington, N.D., formerly of Bowdon, N.D., passed away Wed., Sept. 7, 2022 at Golden Acres Manor, Carrington.

Funeral Services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, September 12 at Bowdon Lutheran Church, Bowdon. Pastor Shirley Teske officiated and burial was in Bethany Cemetery, Robinson, N.D.

Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Home, Fessenden, N.D.

Richard Otto was born April 23, 1936, on the family farm in Merkle Township, Kidder County, north of Robinson, N.D., the son of Christian and Olga (Retzer) Otto and the 12th of 15 children. He was baptized on December 7, 1939, and confirmed on December 9, 1956. He attended country school and spent most of his time helping on the family farm. He worked for a time for his brother Rueben in construction in the Bismarck area.

On January 22, 1965, he married Margaret Koenig Otto. They farmed north of Robinson in Kidder County for five years, before moving the family to Bowdon in 1970. He worked for the Bowdon Locker Plant and in 1975 began working for the North Dakota State Highway Department-Fessenden Branch until retiring in July of 1998 after 23 years. He entered Golden Acres Manor on July 2, 2020.

Richard was a "People Person". He loved to visit with family and friends and anyone who might be there to talk to at any given time or place. He especially enjoyed talking to young people and was Grandpa to all.

When younger, he enjoyed playing horseshoes, hunting, and fishing. After Margaret passed away, he took up coloring. He gave and sent many colored pictures to friends and family.

Richard was an active member of the Bowdon Lutheran Church and was head usher for many years. He was a charter member and loyal member for 44 years of the Bowdon Lions Club. He also served on the Bowdon Ambulance for a time.

Richard is survived by his children, Valerie (Steve) Tripp, Pettibone, N.D., Sandy (Kevin) Kelly, Bismarck, N.D., Duane (Pat) Otto, Beulah, N.D., and Carol (Ken) Rocker, LaMoure, N.D.; son-in-law, Dennis Friesz, Fargo, N.D.; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Leona Magnuson, Carrington, N.D., and Phyllis Hebert, New Port, Wash.; sister-in-law, Luella Otto, Mandan, N.D.; brother-in-law, LeRoy Koenig, Jamestown, N.D. ; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; son, Terry; daughters, Faye and Joyce; son-in-law, Ken Ensz; three grandsons; one great-granddaughter, his parents, eight brothers and four sisters.