Ardith George Otteson, 86 years, 3 months, and 21 days old, passed to heaven on Feb. 26, 2011 at St. John’s Regional Health Center.
Ardith was born Nov. 5, 1924 in the San Luis Valley of southeast Colorado, one of three children to George and Mamie (Hostetler) Otteson.
Art served his country after World War II and while stationed in Germany he met an interesting German girl named Magdalena, whom he married on April 14, 1953. They moved to the U.S. and lived in Colorado, Kentucky, and Missouri until moving to the farm on Cassie Ridge above Prairie Hollow in 1971 and remaining there till his passing.
Art enjoyed hunting and fishing in the Colorado Rockies, taking his sons fishing for brook trout in the mountain streams, but finally work became more important as it was necessary to provide for the family. He worked for Ken Ballew for many years at the hatchery running the dozer and doing mechanic work during the days and working on the farm in the morning and evenings. He and Art Jr. dairied together until just before his passing.
Art was preceded by his parents and his brother, Howard.
He is survived by his wife, Magdalena; his son, Elmer and wife, Judy, of Reno, Nev., and son, Art Jr., of Mansfield; and a granddaughter, Kayla Otteson, of Columbia, Mo. Art is also survived by a sister, Arlene Reed, of Sanford, Colo.
Memorial services for Art Sr. will be Wednesday, March 2, at 2 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, with burial in the Ava Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. in the funeral home. Officiating will be Pastor Ronnie Roy. Memorials may be made to American Lung Association.
Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneral home.com.
