Doris Otte

Doris Minnie Otte, 85, of Crystal Lake, passed away Thursday, June 20, 2013, in Woodstock, Illinois.
She was born on May 22, 1928, to LeRoy and¬¬ Minnie Johnson, in Clarinda, Iowa.

Doris will be remembered as a loving and accomplished woman. She began working at the age of 12, at family-owned Cramer’s Jewelry, where she remained from 1940-56. In 1947, Doris married Darrel P. Otte and they worked side-by-side to manage their farm in Clarinda. In 1947, she was crowned the 4H Queen of the state of Iowa.

From 1956-61, Doris was the director of volunteers at the Iowa Mental Health Hospital, before transitioning to the field of electronic typesetting with Clarinda Co., from 1961-67, followed by Black Dot, from 1967-93.

Doris’ greatest passion was helping others, and she always made time to lend a helping hand to friends, family, and strangers. She was a creative soul who enjoyed china painting, jewelry making, sewing, and baking. Doris was always ready for her next adventure, and especially enjoyed traveling with her sister, Ruth.

Doris is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Darrel P. Otte; children, Curtis (Patricia) Otte, Marianne Otte; grandchildren, Rachel (David) Thompson, Courtney (Robbie) Bernard, Aaron (Catherine) Hoskins, Beau Hoskins, Cara Noverio and Nicholas (Amy) Noverio; son in law John Noverio; nephew, Tom Cramer; and great grandchildren Kalea, Marlee, Emily, Abigail, and Keegan.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Ruth (Max) Cramer; nephew, Steve Cramer, and her parents.

Memorial service will be held at 11am, Monday, June 24, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 300 South Pathway Ct, Crystal Lake, IL 60014.

Burial will be held in Clarinda Cemetery, Clarinda, Iowa.

Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, or JourneyCare, 405 Lake Zurich Ave., Barrington, IL 60010, www.hospiceanswers.org.