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Marjorie I. Otto, 97, of Aurelia, formerly of Lakeside, died Oct. 4, 2025, at Accura Care Center in Aurelia.
Funeral services will take place Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 2 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in Storm Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12-2 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Marjorie was born July 18, 1928, in Storm Lake to Everett Rice and Flora (Taylor) Rice. She was the oldest and the only girl of five children. Marjorie was baptized and confirmed in Storm Lake at the Methodist Church. She was a long-time member of St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Marjorie attended Hayes Consolidated High School and graduated in 1946.
On Aug. 3, 1947, Marjorie entered into marriage with the love of her life, Arlin Otto, at St. John Lutheran Church. They were blessed with five children: Sandra, Larry, Edward, Janiece and Kelly.
Marjorie was a member of DAR and Colonial Dams, Storm Lake Chapter. She was a seamstress who made many wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses for young women on their special day. She was known for making Barbie and American Doll clothes, many of which are still played with today. The smile on the faces of the kids who got these gems gave her great joy. She, along with her husband Arlin, went to many craft bazaars through the years with her handmade crafts, sewing and paintings. She also hand-quilted Christmas tree skirts and knitted afghans for her family. Her hands were always busy and her mind creative. She was also known for a mean apple pie. She loved to bake them and often gave them away just for the joy of it.
Left to cherish Marjorie’s memory are her five children: Sandra (John) Burke of Fairfax, Mo.; Larry (Dawn) Otto of Birmingham, Ala.; Edward (Brenda) Otto of Cherokee; Janiece Otto of Aurelia; Kelly Otto of Des Moines; brothers: Richard (Monica) Rice of Storm Lake; Edward (Loa) Rice of Alta; Thomas (Doris) Rice of Storm Lake; grandchildren: Michelle (Chris) Groves of Earlham; Jeffrey Burke of Fairfax, Mo.; Amanda (Jason) Walker of Skidmore, Mo.; Shane (Beth) Otto of Birmingham, Ala.; Nikel (Chad) McDougal of Birmingham, Ala.; Daniel (Talia) Otto of Manhattan, N.Y.; Molly (Parker) Shotnik of Birmingham, Ala.; Erin Otto of Cherokee; Tyson Otto of Castle Rock, Colo.; great-grandchildren: Gabrielle (Kevin) Osterson, Paxton Groves (Reagan), Elliot Groves, Madalyn (Logan) Kapp, Izabella Walker, Spencer Otto, Virginia Otto, Owen McDougal, Kyndall McDougal, Athena Otto, Isla Otto, Violet Otto and Tate Otto; great-great-grandchildren: Emily Groves, Jaxton Groves and Mara Kapp; extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Arlin Otto; parents, Everett and Flora Rice; brother Robert Rice; sister-in-law Dorothy Rice; and parents-in-law, Herbert and Eda Otto.
