Otto Otteson

Otto C. Otteson, age 83, of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 26, 2014, at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison with family by his side. He was born on November 28, 1930 in Stoughton, the son of Sanford and Margaret (Lund) Otteson.

Otto attended Stone Grade School in rural Stoughton and graduated from Stoughton High School in 1948. He was united in marriage to Jean M. Dahl on Aug. 12, 1950. Together they raised seven children and worked the family dairy and tobacco farm in Cottage Grove. Otto was a member of the St Paul's Liberty Lutheran Church in Deerfield. He was one of the founding members of the Deerfield Rod and Gun Club. He was an avid Packer fan (most likely because of Jean!). His true passion was found in being a fan of his sons and daughters and grandchildren. When he found time away from the dairy cows and tobacco, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends, and getting your limit was not a requirement for a great time! Most recently, working the vegetable garden and getting the sweet corn and raspberries ready to sell at the farmers' market was something he never got tired of. When the sun got close to setting, the fun would start when he headed to the card table for Sheepshead or Euchre ... or to the horseshoe pits for a few runs at double ringers. If someone needed a partner to dance with, it was said that Otto never turned down an invitation to Fox Trot or Polka the night away. Otto loved restoring and cruising around in his 1931 Indian motorcycle and horse-drawn surrey. Most of all, Otto loved his family, who will miss him in ways that are indescribable.

Otto is survived by seven children: Mike (Karen) Otteson of Watertown, MA; Jeff (Jeannie) Otteson of Waterloo; Kristi (Jeff) Von Holzen of Washburn; Cindy (Tim) Pendorf of Madison; Otto Kurt (Lori) Otteson of Cottage Grove; Debbie (Bob) Griggas of Lake Mills; Denise (Simon) Huelsbeck of Rochester, MN; fifteen grandchildren: Ben Otteson, Dustin (Nicole) Parish, Jordon Von Holzen, Elizabeth Otteson, Ariel Griggas, RaeJean Pendorf, Eric Von Holzen, Calvin Pendorf, Megan Otteson, Otto Harald Otteson, Lillian Otteson, Otto Griggas, Oren Griggas, Oliver Huelsbeck, and Stella Huelsbeck; and one great-granddaughter, Kylie Parish. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Holzhuter, Stoughton; sister-in-law, Arlene Otteson, Stoughton; and brother-in-law, Delbert (Re) Dahl, Cable; other dear relatives and many friends, including one very special friend - cribbage and dance partner, Betty Pohlman. Otto was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, on May 13, 2009; his parents; his brother, Robert; his brother-in-law, Glenn Holzhuter; and grandson, Otto Forest Otteson.

A memorial service will be held at ST. PAUL'S LIBERTY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 3494 Oak Park Rd., Deerfield at 11 a.m., Friday, October 31, 2014 with the Rev. Holly Slater officiating. Visitation will be held at church, Thursday, October 30 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.-and one hour prior to the service starting at 10 a.m. on Friday.

Friends and family are invited to a luncheon at the educational center immediately following services.