Bob Otto

Robert “Bob” Dean Otto, 87, of Storm Lake passed away peacefully in his home after enduring stage 4 lung cancer. His wife was by his side as he received hospice at home.

Funeral services will take place Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, Dec. 5, from 5-7 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.

Bob was born on July 12, 1935 to Lawrence and Esther Otto. He was the youngest of four children. He attended Hayes School and was involved in baseball and basketball. He was a star pitcher for the Storm Lake Indies and recounted many games to his children. Baseball was his favorite sport, and he recalled many stats and facts about previous games he played.

Bob met Marleen Harms through church activities. He attended all of her ballgames at Truesdale. Four years later, they were married on April 12, 1959.They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary over Easter this past year with their children and grandchildren.

Bob and Marleen were blessed with seven children: Steve (Deb) Otto of Austin, Texas; Doug (Cathy) Otto of Bruning, Neb.; Sue (Clay) Drenth of Alta; Laurie McLaughlin of Des Moines; Trish (Jamie) Miller of Omaha, Neb.; Mike (Tami) Otto of Ankeny; and Jenn (Neil) Pfeiffer of Overland Park, Kan. Their grandchildren include: Nate Otto, Jocelyn (Andrew) Polley, Skyler (Ashley) Otto, Spenser Otto, Kelsey (Troy Hofmann), Jayden Otto, Cole Drenth, Carly Drenth, Jaidee Miller, Shayla Miller, Emily McLaughlin, Derek (Melissa) McLaughlin, Sydney Otto, Mason Otto, Audrey Pfeiffer, Grant Pfeiffer and Stella Pfeiffer. Bob and Marleen have six great-grandchildren: Elouise, Carter and Oliver Polley; Zoey Hofmann; Griffin and Bauer McLaughlin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Gloria and Donna Jean; brother Victor; and son-in-law John McLaughlin.

Bob drove a tractor at age six! His grandchildren were amazed by this fact, but farming was always in his blood. He was a hog farmer until 2011, and continued grain farming until this past fall when he combined for the last time.

He attended his kids’ ball games, sport events and activities through school. He received an award for his little league coaching skills, and could be seen in the bleachers at Tornadoes basketball games until this past year. He also attended home games at BVU.

He spent his leisure time enjoying family and visiting his grandchildren.
Church was important to him. Bob served on the finance board at St. John’s Lutheran church and was also Sunday school treasurer. His activities included bowling league in his younger days and playing dart ball at church.

His children will remember his dry sense of humor, quick wit and all his Dad jokes (AKA “Bob jokes”). He loved the Chicago Cubs, Cyclones, Hawkeyes and all teams Iowa. He was an avid sports fan. One of his favorite memories was at age 75 touring Wrigley field with two of his sons, two sons-in-law and grandson. Seeing the Cubs win the World Series in 2016 was a highlight.
Let’s hope the angels in the outfield are ready. Bob Otto is up to bat…and if he has his way he’ll say, “It’s a beautiful day! Let’s play two.” We are waving the big W for you dad, and will miss your big sneezes, twinkle in your blue eyes, and bellowing laugh. We know you hit that ball out of the park!