Eileen Otter

EILEEN JOYCE OTTER was born on February 23, 1951 to George Edward and Dolores Helen (Roeman) Lens in Luverne, Minnesota. For her first years of life, she was raised on a farm North of Larchwood, Iowa before moving to town with her family in her early childhood. Eileen had fond memories of camping and fishing at her parents’ cabin while growing up. She received her education at St. Mary's Catholic School through grade eight, and then West Lyon Community School where she graduated in 1969, in Inwood, Iowa. Eileen met Larry Otter, and a short time later the couple was united in marriage on August 28, 1971 in Larchwood. They made their home in Ruthton, Minnesota and Eileen began working for BH Electronics in Marshall, Minnesota. She later opened an in-home daycare, served as a cook at Lindy’s Lanes in Ruthton, and worked at the Ruthton Mini-Mart. Eileen and Larry were blessed with two children and from that point on family was her number one priority. In 1996, after the children had grown, Eileen and Larry relocated to Pipestone, Minnesota. She returned to the workforce and held positions at Lange’s Cafe, the Amoco Station, the Pipestone County Medical Center kitchen. After their retirement, Eileen and Larry both drove van for special needs children through Ludolph’s Bus Service. Larry preceded Eileen in death on August 27, 2018. She remained in Pipestone until illness led her to be admitted to the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she died at the age of 70 years, ten months, and 16 days.

Eileen was an active member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Woodstock, Minnesota for many years. She participated in many car clubs in Pipestone and volunteered at the Pipestone County Museum Rummage Sale. When she had the time you could often find Eileen wrapped up in a good book, especially a romance novel. She loved shaking dice with friends or playing Bingo and going bowling. Never being one to complain, she always thought of others before herself. Eileen would drop anything when help was needed or whenever grandchildren needed to be carted to an activity or event. Those that knew her will remember her patience and happiness, as well as the positive energy that surrounded her.

Eileen is survived by her son, James (Jenny) Otter of Pipestone; daughter, Krista Otter of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; grandchildren, Dylan and Allissa Arndt, and Braden, Keegan, and Amelia Otter; great-grandson, Levi Arndt; siblings, MaryAnn (Darwin) Schaff of Larchwood, Roger Lens of Sioux Falls, and Richard (Marsha) Lens of Independence, Iowa; siblings-in-law, Barry (Brenda) Otter, Dora (Don) Lupkes, Mark Otter, and Mary (Tom Spartz) Kleinjan; step-siblings-in-law, Linda (Rick) Fiedler, and Phil and Shelley Jacobsma; and many other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry; parents; mother-in-law, Marge Pater; infant brother, John Lens; sister, Joesphine Hazzard; and siblings-in-law, Marvin Otter, Arvin Otter, Norbert Jacobsma, and Sandy Otter.