Donna Jean Otteson

Otteson, Donna J.
Appleton

Age 79, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, June 13, 2007, at Brewster Village.

Donna was born October 23, 1927, in Ayr, North Dakota, the daughter of Ralph and Ellen (McLean) Cameron. She was united in marriage to Jerome “Jerry” Otteson on April 3, 1965, in West Fargo, North Dakota. Donna and Jerry were married after both of their spouses had passed away.
Donna was a homemaker and raised seven daughters with Jerry. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Donna was an excellent manager’s wife in helping Jerry with his career. The Ottesons are long time church members at Trinity Lutheran Church, and Donna was involved in many church activities, including being in charge of funeral luncheons for over a decade. She was former president of the Appleton Medical Center Auxiliary, and was a volunteer for many years at Franklin Elementary School’s United for Reading Success program. Donna was an excellent bridge player. She and Jerry were card players in the 500 Club, a group of friends that played cards once a month. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, belonging to book clubs for many years, and traveling extensively during her lifetime.

Survivors include her husband of 42 years, Jerry Otteson; seven daughters, Debby Otteson, Redgranite, Heidi O’Brien, Libertyville, Ill., Becky Van Gompel, Little Chute, Lori (Bruce) Quistad, Satellite Beach, Fla., Toni (Robin) Pitman, London, Ontario, Canada, Stacey Otteson, Merrill, and Patti Jo (David) Walter, Two Rivers; there are 12 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; three sisters, Betty Peach, Marilyn Stinson, and Gail (Denvy) Saxowsky; three brothers, Tom (Audrey) Cameron, Ken (Sally) Cameron, and Stuart Cameron; a sister-in-law, Doris Bakken; and 31 nieces and nephews.
Donna was preceded in death by her first husband, Basil Smith, a grandson, Chase, a sister-in-law, Nancy, and brothers-in-law, Jack, Jim, and Otto.

Memorial services for Donna will be at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, June 16, 2007, at TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 209 South Allen Street, with Revs. Kurt and Mary Beth Kovanen co-officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Wichmann Funeral Home, downtown chapel, and again from 3:00 p.m. Saturday until the time of services at Trinity Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Donna’s name may be sent to the Trinity Building Fund, 209 So. Allen St., Appleton, 54911.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 North Superior Street
Appleton 920-739-1231
www.wichmannfuneralhome.com