Audrey A. Otten, 94, of Sheboygan, went home to her Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ on January 18, 2025, at Sharon Richardson, while her family
sang “Jesus Loves Me”. Audrey was born September 6, 1930, in
Sheboygan, WI to John and Cora Kruis. She attended Sheboygan Christian
School from 1936-1944 and graduated from Central High in 1948. Audrey
worked at Sheboygan City Hall as an administrative secretary until she
married her “best friend and love of her life” Roger Roy Otten on January
27, 1954. They were married for almost 70 years until he went home to
Jesus on September 28, 2023. Audrey’s most important calling in life was
being a wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma.
Audrey was known for how much she loved her God, her family, her church
and her community. She blessed many through her employment at
Sheboygan Christian School, Sheboygan Health Department and Senior
Center. Audrey counted it a privilege to serve the Sheboygan community as
an Alderman for 12 years on various committees and even was the
Common Council President for a term. Audrey and Roger were blessed to
travel the US and abroad while creating great memories with many dear
friends. Roger and Audrey were always looking for ways to make people
feel welcome. They enjoyed hosting game nights, sharing potlucks with
friends and playing a weekly game of Rummikub together at their kitchen
table.
Audrey was active in the Golden Agers at Christ Community Church and
involved in various women’s Bible studies in her church and community.
Audrey loved working in her garden and watching her various flowers bloom
and grow, even during the wintertime. For over 40 years Audrey enjoyed
swimming at the Y six days a week and eventually persuaded Roger to join
her the last 15 years. Audrey and Roger enjoyed visiting the shut-ins and
meeting new people at Christ Community Church and the community of
Sheboygan. Together they never met a stranger or forgot a name, and they
were always inviting people over to share a meal. They thought of many
different groups as “family”- Y early morning swimmers, McDonald’s
breakfast group and most recently their Mapledale neighbors. Many of them
becoming special friends.
Audrey loved watching her kids, grandkids and great grandkids in all their
activities. The entire family knows and enjoys how to be competitive – this
started with Jarts and their annual family Thanksgiving bowling. Many
special memories were created at family holiday get togethers, which
always required each family to bring their own “Penguin”.
Audrey and Roger prayed daily for their children, grandchildren and great
grandchildren and made sure that each of them knew that Jesus died for
them and was their Lord and Saviour. Audrey’s love of Jesus will continue
on in her six children: Cindy (Jay) Hogfeldt, Russ (Laura) Otten, Scott (Pam)
Otten, Jeff (Dawn) Otten, Chery (Rick) Locke, adopted son Mma (Nena)
Kalu; 23 grandchildren and 42 great grandchildren- Nadia (Aaron)Lunt:
Tristan, Andrew, Lucas; Jason (Amber) Hogfeldt: Addi, JJ, Seneca, Jett,
Keaston; Matt (Liz) Hogfeldt: Jackson, Juliana, Penelope, Eloise; Greg
(Kari) Hogfeldt: Aspen, Canyon, Wynter; Sulah (Jacob) Buck: Tatum, Taylor;
Brittany (Tom) VanDerHave: Thomas, Noah, Sadie; Marques Otten; Kasia
Otten(deceased): Riley; Cade Whitman; Phoenix Otten; Nathan (Lynae)
Otten: Brooklyn, Addyson, Caleb; Jake (Alyssa) Otten: Logan, Micah,
Nolan; Ben Otten; Ryan (Cherith) Otten; Heidi (Zach) TeWinkel: Braden,
Tyler, Lucas; Heather (Josh) Eshuis: Levi, Micah, Brooklyn; David (Erica)
Locke: Ella, Lincoln, Noelle; Amanda (Jason) Hilbelink: Wesley, Charlotte,
Everett; Josh (Alexis) Locke: Dakoda, Sierra; Natalie Locke (fiancé Darrick
Landreneau); Nene (Paul) Schaffert, Emmanuel (Ngozi) Kalu: Amara;
James Kalu. Audrey is also survived by sister Harriet Farwell, many
nephews and nieces and “daughter in heart” Diann. Audrey was preceded in
death by her parents, two sisters: Caroline VanDerWeele and Geneva
Whiting; three brothers: Roland, Allan and Melvin; and special friend Ann,
from the Y, who she led to Christ before Ann passed.
The celebration of Audrey’s entry into her heavenly home will be held at
Christ Community Church, 428 Geele Ave, Sheboygan at 3:30pm on
Saturday, January 25, 2025. The family will receive visitors at the church on
Saturday, January 25 from 1-3:30pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are requested for Sheboygan Christian
School, Christ Community Church and Sharon Richardson Hospice.
Audrey celebrated the peace she had, because of Jesus saving grace,
and wanted everyone to know that “Jesus Loves You”.
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