Bernice Esther Otte

Otte, Bernice Esther (Schmidt) age 97 went to be with the Lord Jesus on Friday, Aug- ust 15, 2014 at the Good Samaritan in Waconia, MN. She was born on April 26, 1917 in Foley, MN (Benton Co.). The oldest child of William A. and Louise Rolf Schmidt. She became a child of God in the washing of holy baptism on May 13, 1917. A few years after her birth the family moved to a farm near Young America, MN where Bernice grew up. She attended St. John's Lutheran Elementary School in Young America. Bernice was married to Harold W. Otte on August 19, 1939 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Young America. Harold, a Lutheran school teacher and later as a Lutheran Pastor, served schools and congregations in Janesville, MN, Fairmont, MN, Concordia College (now University) in St. Paul, MN, St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Worthington, MN, all with Bernice at his side supporting and caring for him. Their marriage was blessed with 2 sons, William Harold (1946) and Paul Roland (1947). Although her life cannot be summarized in a few short sentences, Bernice was a loving wife, mother and friend. She had special gifts of gentleness, kindness and hospitality. She grew up speaking German and was gifted in sewing, painting, catching fish and was famous for her coffee cake. She loved music and singing in choirs and expressing her Christian faith in hymns. She was involved with the International Lutheran Women's Missionary League and above all was a faithful and devoted disciple of Jesus. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harold in 2008, sister, Lorna Morin Grant; and brothers, Hugo and Roland Schmidt. Those who mourn her death and look forward to an eternal reunion in Heaven are her sons, William (Deanna) Otte of Rochester, MN, and Paul (Barbara) Otte of Hutchinson, MN; grandchildren, John (Jill) Otte, Rebekah (Chris) Gordon, Mark (Keri) Otte, Matthew (Leah) Otte, and Philip (Jamie) Otte; 9 great-grandchildren; sisters, Martha Possehl, Erna Schulz, and Dorothy (Larry) Wolfgram; along with many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. Funeral service will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church in Young America, MN on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 11 AM. Visitation will be held at the church at 9:30 AM prior to the funeral. Committal will be at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery of Cologne (Benton Township, MN). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. John's Lutheran School of Young America or Concordia University of St. Paul, MN. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Eden Prairie Chapel 952-975-0400

Tributes

Bernice Esther Otte

August 15, 2014

Tributes

Bernice Esther Otte

August 15, 2014

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