September 13, 1934 – Saturday, February 8, 2014
Service Information
St. Francis Catholic Church in Buffalo
Thursday, February 13, 2014
10:00 A.M.
Visitation Information
AT THE CHURCH
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
4-8 P.M.
Bernard Nicholas Otten, age 79, of rural Buffalo passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at his residence.
He was born on September 13, 1934 in Buffalo Township, Wright County the son of Fred & Ellen (LaPlant) Otten.
Bernard lived his entire life on his family’s homestead.
He honorably served his Country in The United States Army Reserves.
On June 19, 1957, Bernard Otten and Jeanette Zitzloff were joined in holy marriage at St. Francis Catholic Church in Buffalo. God blessed their marriage with eight children.
Bernard was employed for fifty plus years at Otten Brothers Nursery doing landscaping. He also enjoyed farming on the family’s homestead in Buffalo Township.
He was also fond of playing cards, being a family man and liked to hunt and fish with his brothers, brothers in law, and sons in his younger years.
Bernard was a faithful, life-long member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Buffalo. He was a man of great faith!
Survived by his loving wife of fifty six years: Jeanette Otten; children: Duane Otten of Boerne, Texas, Art (Tammy) Otten of Buffalo, Kenny Otten of Rockford, Mary Ellen (Robert) Klatt, Carol Anderson, Lois (Bob) Pahl and Marilyn Otten all of Buffalo and Matt (Kristin) Otten of Boerne, Texas; twelve grandchildren: Dale (Jessica) Otten, Michelle Otten, Nichol Otten, Jessica Otten, Heather (Carl) Olson, Heidi Klatt, Jenny (Bryan) Bernas, Megan (Justin) Zwieg, Ryan Pahl, Jordan Pahl, Alex Pahl and Madison Otten; ten great grandchildren: Evan, Hannah, Owen, Haylie, Tyler, Chance, Madison, Aidan, Gage and Tyson; brothers: Fritz Otten, Dick Otten and Jim Otten; sisters: Marion Muckenhirn and Rose Muckenhirn; many other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, six brothers: Leo Otten, Ed Otten, Leonard Otten, Bert Otten, Joe Otten and Bob Otten, two sisters: Emily Gilles and Adeline Dalbec, and by a son-in-law: Harley Anderson.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Bernard Otten will be held on Thursday, February 13th, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Francis Catholic Church in Buffalo. Father David Hennen will be the Celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Francis Cemetery.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 12th from 4-8 P.M. at St. Francis Catholic Church. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 P.M. Further visitation will be held on Thursday morning, February 13th one hour prior to Mass.
Honorary Casket Bearers will be grandchildren: Dale Otten, Michelle Otten, Nichol Otten, Jessica Otten, Heather Olson, Heidi Klatt, Jenny Bernas, Megan Zwieg, Ryan Pahl, Jordan Pahl, Alex Pahl, and Madison Otten.
Casket Bearers will be Denny Muckenhirn, Gary Muckenhirn, Geno Otten, Mike Otten, Rick Otten, and Walter Otten.
Marilyn & Family; My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time!
Sorry for your dad, grandpa and husband. He was a great guy, always a smile on his face and willing to talk to me at anytime. He will be sadly missed.
Jennet and family; So sorry to hear of Bernard’s passing. Probably don’t remember me but I worked with Bernard at Otten’s back in the ’60s. Bernard was a true friend and great example of what a man needs to be. Loved his family, loved his church, taught many young men what hard work was and what it meant to be a good employee .
I am so glad I got to visit with him last time I was up in Buffalo in 2009. I always looked forward to visiting when I got up.
One of my favorite uncles.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
One of my best childhood memories was knowing him. I’m glad that he was the neighbor next door and friends with our family. May he Rest in Peace for all the good deeds that he has done in his lifetime and there were many. He was a Great Man.
May God comfort all of you during this time of loss. May you feel his love as you remember your father. The loss of a father is so difficult but hold tight to your siblings and mother for God’s comfort. May you feel God love and strength as you say goodbye to a wonderful man, who loved his family dearly. It showed in his smile. God Bless.
Rita Quigley (Galvin)
My sincerest condolences to the family.
May God hold and embrace you with his love.
So sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man, a great father and he will be greatly missed.
I was so saddened to hear about the passing of Bernard. He was indeed a great role model for not only your family, but the entire neighborhood. Jesus said the greatest commandments were: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”, and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” As a neighbor for many years, I know he kept those commandments well. May the Lord Bless you in this time of sorrow and sent a legion of His Angels to comfort you all.