Donna Lee Otte

BURLEY, IDAHO – Donna Lee Johnson Otte, an 82-year-old resident of Burley, Idaho, passed away peacefully with family at her side at the Warren House in Burley, on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013.

Donna was born on Sept. 6, 1930, in Beaver Dam, Utah, the daughter of Floyd Hollick Johnson and Virginia Lucile Hansen Leishman, the second of nine children. She attended schools in Beaver Dam and Garland, Utah, eventually graduating from Logan High School in Logan, Utah.

On June 11, 1949, she married her best friend and love of her life, Clarence Vernal Otte in Smithfield, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Utah LDS Temple. They began their life together in Logan where Vern worked for the Sears Company. It was while in Logan that their oldest son, Kerry, was born – wherein they later transferred to Salt Lake City, Utah, with Sears for nearly 17 years. During that period a son, Royce, and a daughter, Stephanie, blessed their family. They again transferred to open the new Sears store in Burley in the fall of 1969, having the opportunity of working together in that venture, calling Burley their home.

Donna worked in the insurance industry in Utah, and for several other businesses in the Mini-Cassia area. She also served as president of the New Comers Club in Burley. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in various positions, and enjoyed particularly her service with the children in the Primary. She and her companion also served as service missionaries for the Deseret Industries Complex in Burley.

She especially enjoyed the outdoors – from the streams that she loved to fish, the mountains that she loved to walk, to the campers and trailers that she called her second home. During her twilight years, she and her companion could be found most fall months chasing the movements of wild geese. Her greatest joy was her family and the special relationship she earned and cherished with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Vern, of 63 years; two sons, Kerry (Shelly) Otte of Smithfield, Utah, and Royce (Janet) Otte of Burley, Idaho; one sister, Marilynn (Ken) Mauchley of Kaysville, Utah; two brothers, Deon (Helen) Johnson of Providence, Utah, and Cordell (Joyce) Johnson of Richmond, Utah; seven grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Stephanie; brothers, Joseph, Floyd, Darwin and Allen Johnson; one sister, Beverly Burris; and one great-granddaughter, Adelaide Ann Otte.

She leaves us all with a rich legacy of love, devotion, and selfless service.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Star LDS Church, 100 S. 200 W., of Burley, with Bishop Chris Seibold officiating.

A graveside service will be held at noon Friday, Jan. 11, at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 S., in Sandy, Utah.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Thursday at the church.