Martha Otte, 85, of Princeton, passed away Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
Martha was born May 24, 1936, to Bernhardt and Elsie (Geest) Beitel in Davenport. She graduated from Davenport High School in 1954. She was united in marriage to Karl Otte Sept. 22, 1956, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Davenport. The couple farmed and raised their family at their rural Princeton dairy farm, where Martha was the true boss of the operation, milking the cows for more than 40 years. Karl preceded her in death in 2016.
Martha took a great deal of care keeping the farm mowed. She was always busy in the kitchen, baking and cooking meals to share with her neighbors. Martha enjoyed feeding the birds, especially during the hummingbird season. She also enjoyed visiting the local casinos. Martha loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a wise counselor to all six of her children, giving them the hard and honest truth.
Surviving are her children, Steven (Marlene) Otte of North English, Tina Spies of Princeton, Patrick (Eva) Otte of Ladora, Gina (Donnie) Bown of State Center, Karl Otte Jr., of McCausland, and Heidi Otte of Princeton; grandchildren, Anne (Jesse) Axmear, Kelly Otte, Mary (Adam) Norland, Kristel (Steve) Nebinger, Trisha (Mark) Haines, Lucas (Tina) Otte, Elizabeth (Josh) Heitshusen, Emily Otte, Nicholas McLaughlin, Karlie Bown, Blake Bown, Emma Otte, Olivia Otte, and Anna Otte; great-grandchildren, Kaeley, Natalie, Drake, Edie and Abe Axmear, Tyler and Travis Ballard, Bentli, Briggs, and Rhett Norland, Landon Nebinger, Ella, Eli, Evan, and Emmett Haines, Caleb and Taylor Otte, and Ivy Jefferson; nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a niece, Cyndi Beitel, a grandson, Kurt Spies, and her brother, Ben (Loretta) Beitel.
Visitation was from 2 until 5 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. A Funeral Service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 7, in the funeral home, Pastor Sylvia Larssen of Disciples of Christ Memorial Christian Church, Moline, officiating. Burial followed at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Steven Otte, Patrick Otte, Karl Otte, Jr., Lucas Otte, Nicholas McLaughlin, Steve Nebinger, and Ryan Krukow. Honorary pallbearers were Blake Bown, Tony Vaughn, Doug Wilson, and Jake Weas.
Memorials may be made to Camp Courageous and the Ronald McDonald House.
Arrangements were in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com.
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