Clarence Vernal Otte

June 18, 1928 - February 5, 2015

BURLEY, IDAHO - Clarence Vernal Otte, an 86-year-old resident of Burley, Idaho, passed away following a courageous battle with cancer at the Warren House on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015.

Vern was born on June 18, 1928, to Oliver Henry and Evelyn Crawford Otte, the second son of four children. He attended schools in Logan, Utah, and graduated from Logan High School. He then attended his freshman year of college at Utah State University. He was an outstanding athlete excelling in football, basketball, baseball, and swimming. He played semi-pro baseball for a short time, and was offered the chance to play minor league baseball, declining to continue his employment with the Sears Company. It was during his time with Sears that he met the love of his life, Donna Lee Johnson, whom he married in Smithfield, Utah, in 1949. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Utah LDS Temple.

During their time in Logan, their oldest son, Kerry was born. Following his transfer with Sears to Salt Lake City, their second son, Royce, and daughter, Stephanie, joined the family. Vern was instrumental in establishing the little league baseball program, for which he coached and personally spearheaded the erection and completion of the ballpark for play. In the fall of 1969, Vern transferred to Burley for the opening of the Sears store in the Overland Shopping Center, and has since called Burley home.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in various capacities, especially enjoying his time with his companion in service in the Primary organization. He and Donna also enjoyed the opportunity to fill a service mission for the Deseret Industries Complex in Burley.

Vern especially enjoyed his time and association with his family, attending nearly every activity he could to offer both his support and love, from the numerous golf courses of Southern Idaho, to the ballpark, gyms, and athletic fields of competition. He was their greatest fan. Second to that, was his love for the outdoors, from the fields and streams that he loved to hunt and fish, to the flocks of waterfowl that he loved to chase. His greatest legacy was that he not only taught how to love unconditionally, but that he lived a life worthy of that same love.

He is survived by his two sons, Kerry (Shelly) of Smithfield, Utah, and Royce (Janet) of Burley, Idaho; a sister-in-law, Marilynn (Ken) Mauchley of Kaysville, Utah; brothers-in-law, Deon (Helen) Johnson of Providence, Utah, and Cordell (Joyce) Johnson of Richmond, Utah; seven grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Vern was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; his daughter, Stephanie; his great-granddaughter, Adelaide; his parents; and two brothers, Reid and Cecil.

He leaves all of those he loved with a rich legacy of love, sacrifice, and example in action.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Burley LDS 2nd and 4th Ward Church, 515 E. 16th St., in Burley.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 S., Sandy, Utah.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Thursday at the church.

The family expresses sincere appreciation to the staff at the Warren House and to Intermountain Homecare for the loving care given to our father.