Adeline Rosalie Otto

Adeline “Addy” R. Otto, Buena Vista County's oldest resident passed peacefully 6 weeks short of her 105th birthday on Friday, January 10, 2025, at the Methodist Manor in Storm Lake, Iowa. Funeral services will take place Friday, January 17, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alta, Iowa. Burial will be in the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the CHURCH. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Adeline was born in the same house as Alta's first baby, (in 1875) on February 21, 1920, the 6th child of Frank and Julia {Hintz} Hobbs. A premature child, her family carried her on a pillow for the first month of her life. Addy's growing up years were blended between visits from their house in town and the family farm five miles west of Alta. Because she was so small, her father home-schooled her for 2 years before she enrolled at Alta Community School; where her Grandfather, George Hobbs, was president of the school board for 38 years. During these childhood years she moved throughout the neighborhood helping neighbors with small tasks. Those who didn't have family she would wash dishes, sweep the floor, help in their gardens. Alta felt the depression much like the rest of the country. Strawberry beds and string bean fields were planted for the neighboring new food canning company. Many students and homemakers harvested these foods. Addy made enough money one season to buy a complete new school outfit, including shoes. She was so proud to be able to go downtown and shop by herself. Also during this period, her older brother-in-law started a bakery in a garage. Addy would roller skate all over Alta taking family bakery orders, then on Saturdays she delivered the fresh baked goods, from a shoulder strap basket her mother made, like the popcorn guys used at the baseball games. Addy's class of 1938 saw a lot of firsts, such as the first to have formal band uniforms. A good student, she was very active in many school activities, girl's basketball, band and choir, drama and speech her favorites. Following graduation, she was active in the school Alumni Association. On August 21st, 1938, she married her brother Bud's friend, Carl A. Otto of Hanover. They raised 4 children: James, Jacqueline, Jerald, & Dennis on a farm 1 mile north of Alta. A very committed mother, she read books to her children every night, became a Cub Scout Leader, a 4-H leader for 25 years, was President of the Parent-Teachers Association, lead a fund raiser to buy kettle drums for the school, was an FHA Home Mother. She taught Sunday School for over 40 years; particularly enjoyed directing the children's choir. As her children grew, she supplemented the family income working at "Mrs. Leonard's " Woman's clothing store, helped her sister & husband operate Snyder's Cafe in Alta. She enjoyed having fun with other women as a member of the "Alta Main Street Girls Club". When her children graduated, Dr. James Cornish called her to help him manage his medical clinic for 8 years until he moved to Florida; then she joined Dr. Hansen at the BV Clinic, changing jobs as needed in the clinic for 31 years. In her spare time, she loved to bake, learned to make Wedding Cakes and mints supplying graduations and confirmations throughout the community. Friends jokingly named her "Cookie Baker of Buena Vista County". Keeping close contact with Alta High, she made many costume accessories for Brad Nesbit's speech classes. He would stop by stating he needed, say, 20 ties of a special configuration by morning. She would get them made. A theatre buff, she and Brad Nesbitt, Glee Crippen, Theresa Becker, initiated the Buena Vista Theatre, traveling to surrounding towns "marketing their idea". It worked, a theatre group was formed. Addy made the early costumes until they raised enough money to rent costumes. Then she altered and repaired costumes for years, sold tickets. The "Touch of Broadway" singing group spun off of the theatre group; although some members have changed, the group continue to entertain for large variety of events in NW Iowa, singing and presenting skits around Broadway musicals. Adeline also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, playing cribbage, cards with family & friends, was a great gardener, proud of "filling her larder each fall". She exhibited at the BV County fair for years, a family tradition started by her grandfather, who with his brother, Sam, created the BV County fair. In later years, she rescued a tiny kitty from the cemetery and adjusted to having a kitty in her house. Tabby Kitty became her inseparable beloved friend. Adeline is preceded in death by her parents, three sons - Dennis, James, Jerry, her husband Carl and her siblings Mary, Joseph, Frank, Jr., Viola, & June. She is survived by her daughter, Jacque of Conifer, CO, grandsons Russel {Angie} Otto and their 2 children & 2 grandchildren, David Otto, John Otto & his 5 children and 4 grandchildren, Jason {JeriKay} Otto and their 2 children, granddaughter, Linda {Don} Studley and their 3 children and 2 grandchildren, and Jolene Otto along with many family & friends.

Adeline Rosalie Otto

February 21, 1920 - January 10, 2025