Alice Otto, age 92, passed away on Sunday, November 13, 2022 at Gil-Mor Manor Nursing Home in Morgan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Morgan. Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Home in Morgan. Visitation will continue from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Morgan. Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, November 18, 2022 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Morgan.
Alice Mae Reding was born on March 2, 1930 to Raymond and Teresa (Steffl) Reding in 3 Lakes Township, Redwood County, MN. She grew up on the Reding Family home farm and attended rural school and St. Michael’s grade schools. On March 2, 1931, a tragic house fire took the lives of her mother Teresa and her sister Audrey. Her father, Raymond remarried Beatrice Bouschek on August 16, 1933. Alice attended St. Michael’s elementary school in Morgan, graduated from Morgan High School in 1948 and attended Lamberton Teacher’s Training. She taught in local country schools, and in Public Schools in Morgan, St. Peter, Cloquet and Glencoe, Mn. She lived and taught in San Diego, CA for two years, prior to marrying Leonard Otto, in San Diego, CA on August 12, 1961. They returned to live in Morgan where Leonard co-owned and operated Morgan Oil. Alice was a member of St. Micheal’s Catholic Church most of her life. She started St. Micheal’s Sunday School program in 1966 and led and taught that for over 20 years. She belonged to St. Michael’s CCW and Catholic Aid. She was also an active member of the VFW Auxiliary Club in Morgan and the DAV Auxiliary of New Ulm. She was also a member of the Harmony Homemakers Extension Club and the St. Micheal’s Church Choir. Alice and her many dear friends, “the happy hoofers” walked and then laughed over coffee each morning. Many silly parties occurred creating lasting memories and continued laughter.
Alice is survived by her 4 daughters: LuAnn (Mike) Kalbfell of Lakeville, Sharon Wersal of Hutchinson, Sandy (Phil) Nestande of Fairfax, and Connie (Jim) Swoboda of Redwood Falls. Grandchildren, Becky Turner (Chris), Laura Allman (Austin), Jennifer Orthaus (Dylan), Daniel Wersal (Erin), Casey Wersal, Collin Nestande, Jocelyn Schnobrich (Roland), Danielle Rosen, Emma Rosen and Marissa Rosen and great grandchildren. Brother, Larry (Monna) Reding of Eden Prairie and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her parents, Raymond and Teresa Reding, Beatrice Reding; Brothers, Richard, James and Don. Sisters, Audrey Reding and Joan Roemer. Sister-in-law, Evelyn Reding; Brother-in-law, Art Roemer. Grandsons Nickolas Wersal and Jeff Larson.