Ethel Dorothy Otte, age 92, of 1440 South 22 nd Street, Sheboygan, was called home to her Lord and
Savior peacefully and surrounded by her family, Tuesday morning, January 8, 2019 at Sharon S.
Richardson Community Hospice.
Ethel was born March 14, 1926 in Sheboygan to Oscar and Ilma (Discher) Braatz. She attended
Bethlehem Lutheran Elementary School and was a graduate of Sheboygan Central High School, Class of
1945.
On November 1, 1947 Ethel was united in marriage to Carl Otte at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. They
were blessed with 63 years of marriage until his death in 2011.
Ethel was a faithful member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, serving on the Ladies and Alter Guilds
and teaching Vacation Bible School. She was active in the Christian Women’s Club for many years. She
served as home secretary for her husband (State Representative/Senator Carl Otte) throughout his
political career, was a devoted mother and grandmother and enjoyed being a homemaker sewing for
herself and her girls, cooking and baking. She was dedicated to always taking care of herself through
aerobic classes and continued daily exercise up until her final week.
Ethel is survived by four children, Allen Otte of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jane and Allan Frey of Delafield, WI,
Julie Lyon of Sheboygan, and Lynn and John Maurin of Sheboygan; eight grandchildren, Scott (Larisa)
Templeton, Danielle (Mark) Staggs, Josh Lyon, Nathan (Kelley) Lyon, Jaimee (Charlie) Marshman, Jocelyn
(Benjamin) Czap, Trevor Maurin, and Tiana Maurin; 16 greatgrandchildren; one sister Carol Daase of
Michigan and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Carl, by her brother Donald Braatz, her sister Jean Kuehl, and
many in-laws.
Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at Good Shepherd Lutheran
Church. Rev. Christian Gugel will officiate. A time of visitation and support will be held prior to the
service on Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Burial will follow at Lutheran Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the faithful and loving caregivers who helped us keep our mother in her
own home the past 8 years. Without them it would not have been possible. We are deeply grateful for
Tracy, Linda, Mary Jo, Ivona, Julie D, Chloe, Marie, and Becky along with other relatives and neighbors
who helped in many other ways. We would also like to thank the staff at Sheboygan Health Services and
Sharon S Richardson Community Hospice for all the care and compassion shown to our mother.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in her name.
Please visit our website to leave your condolences for the family www.ballhornchapels.com
Ethel will be remembered for her sweet smile, unending interest in people’s lives and her
endearing personality.
