Clifford Otte, 93, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Aurora Medical Center – Sheboygan.
Clifford was born in the Town of Wilson on January 15, 1933 to Cornelius and Edna (Van Stelle) Otte. He graduated from Oostburg High School in 1950 and went on to serve his country in the United States Navy from 1952-1956.
Clifford was a dairy and crop farmer on his property in the Town of Sheboygan Falls, officially retiring in 2003 after 46 years. He instilled a strong work ethic in all his children.
On October 9, 1953, he was united in marriage with Haleta Riel in Waupun. They shared 70 years together before her passing in 2024.
A longtime, faithful member of First Reformed Church in Sheboygan Falls, Clifford served as a deacon, elder and Sunday School teacher. With a deep commitment to public service and a strong interest in politics, Cliff was the Wisconsin State Representative for District 27 from 1993-1999. He also served on the Sheboygan Falls School Board, the Sheboygan County Board, the Sheboygan Falls Cooperative Board, and was the Supervisor and Clerk for the Town of Sheboygan Falls. He enjoyed fishing, spending time at the cottage, playing cards, and time spent with his family.
Clifford is survived by his children: Gregory (Linda) Otte of Malone, Timothy (LuAnn) Otte of White Bear Lake, MN, Bruce (Kathy) Otte of Plymouth, Brian (Gail) Otte of Lyndon Station, Barbara (Brian) Stine of Plymouth, and Charles (Tiffany) Otte of Sheboygan Falls. He is further survived by grandchildren: Erin (Justin) Otte-Meyer, Rachel (Kyle) Wells, Adrianna (Mike) DeBoer, Kali (Daniel) Lazan, Michael (Kelly) Otte, Jonathan (Bekah) Otte, Jacob (Amanda) Otte, Katlyn (Chad) Herrmann, Brandon (Molly) Otte, Brianne (Simeon) VandeZande, Will (Zoe) Otte and Clark (Clare) Otte; great-grandchildren: Emmett, Morgan, Timothy, James, Henry, Eliana, Magdalena, Madelyn, Caleb, Stella, Sebastian, Breanna, Lacey, Mason, Grace, Benjamin, Joseph, Thomas, Isaac, Ella, Abigail, Sawyer, Nora, Charlie, Jack, Jonah, Zoey, Lukas and Isaak; sisters: Edna Mae (Walter) Wenhold and Gloria (Larry) Opgenorth; sister-in-law Joyce Riel; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Haleta; parents; step-father George Harmeling; infant sister Gertrude; brothers: Matthew (Mary), Ray (Ruth), Cornelius Jr. (Nancy), Richard, and infant James; brothers- and sisters-in-law from the Riel family.
Funeral Services will be held at 12 noon on Friday, April 17, 2026 at First Reformed Church in Sheboygan Falls. All are welcome to view a livestream of the service on Cliffords’s obituary page at wenigfh.com . The family will receive visitors at the church on Friday from 9:30AM-11:45AM. He will be laid to rest alongside Haleta at Union Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Words of Hope.
Wenig Funeral Home – Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431) is assisting the family with arrangements. Please visit wenigfh.com for more information.
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