Mary E. Otto, age 80, of rural Canby, MN died on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at the Sanford Canby Medical Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at the St. John Cantius Catholic Church, Wilno, MN. Burial will be in the St. John Cantius Catholic Cemetery, Wilno. Visitation will be Monday, September 23rd from 5 – 7 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. with Rosary to follow at the Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby. Visitation will resume Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Mary Ellen Otto, age 80, was born January 20, 1939 in Palo Alto County, Iowa the daughter of William and Anne (Rolling) Condon. As a young child, her family moved to rural Ivanhoe where she attended rural school in Ash Lake Township. She graduated in 1957 from Ivanhoe Public School.
She was united in holy matrimony to Stanley Joseph Otto at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ivanhoe on October 6, 1958. Mary and Stanley farmed in Marble Township. He called her “Shorty” and she blessed him with five children. They loved their family: children, grand children and great-grandchildren. They were married for fifty-one years.
Stanley and Mary were members of the St. John Cantius Parish. Mary belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society and taught catechism. She also belonged to the Ivanhoe VFW Women’s Auxiliary. Mary worked at the Canby DAC from 1971 to 2003 providing care and support to people with special needs.
Mary enjoyed a cup of tea in the morning and watching the evening news at the end of the day. She had fun canning with her husband, watching her sons play Friday- night football, cooking with her daughter, playing cards with her grandchildren, celebrating the Fourth of July at Wilno, and attending family gatherings. Mary’s family wishes to thank the Sylvan Court Nursing Home for their care.
She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren: Adam, Anthony (Anna) and Amanda Otto; Steven from O’Neill NE; Anna (Dana) Otto Farley of St Paul, MN and their children William and John Michael; Paul (Beth) Otto of Ivanhoe and their children Mark (Shelby), Matthew, Andrew and Alyssa; and Jim (Melinda) Otto of Stewartville, MN and their children Hannah, Nicholas, Olivia, and Emilee. Great- grandchildren are: Lucy, Clara, Oscar and Gus; Erin, Sam, Ryan, and Elissa; Jaide and Knox; and other family members Christy Bening, and Stacy (Clint) Timmerman and their daughter Kilee.
She was preceded in death by her husband Stanley, son Peter, parents, and her in-laws: Sophie and Anton Janiszeski; Gertrude Quinell; Vicki and Stanley Ochocki; Clara and Ray Persoon; Frank and Marie Otto; Margaret and Ken Adkins; Emily and Al Rose; and Max and Eddie Otto. She is the last family member of this generation.
Blessed be her memory.
