1929
Raymond
2016
Raymond Norris Otterson
June 13, 1929 — January 14, 2016
Funeral services for Raymond N. Otterson, age 86, of Clarks Grove will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at Community Lutheran Church in Geneva. Dr. Kristen Venne, Pastor will officiate. Interment will be at East Freeborn Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the V.F.W. and American Legion Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, January 22, 2016 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com
Raymond died January 14, 2016 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.
Raymond Norris Otterson was born June 13, 1929 to Omar Otterson and Sophia Jacobson on his grandfather, Nels C. Jacobson’s farm north of Lerdal, Minnesota. He graduated from Albert Lea High School June 5, 1947. He had several jobs right out of school; working on the Rock Island railroad, a store clerk at the Lerdal Store and helping to build the meat lockers there. Ray also worked on several farms as a hired hand. On March 6, 1948, Ray enlisted in the army at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. He served 21 years in the army serving as an administrative noncommissioned officer. Ray was stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany; Aberdeen, Maryland; Indian Head, Maryland; Anchorage, Alaska, Leavenworth, Kansas; and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. He also served in Vietnam.
While Ray was stationed the first time at Aberdeen, Maryland, he was introduced to Berneice Cox who became his wife when they were married June 25, 1950. Ray and Berneice had been married for 58 ½ years before Berniece’s death in 2008.
When Ray retired from the army, he returned to Minnesota and built a home in Clarks Grove. He worked a short period of time at Streater’s until there was a shortage of work. He then went to work at Universal Milking Machines until 1971. In 1971 Ray and Berneice opened the Grove Café and ran it until 1973. In March of 1973 Ray started working at Enders Tool Company in Albert Lea until August of 1993 when he retired.
In 1981 Ray joined the Legion’s Careyares, all male chorus, where he served as Junior Vice President and Senior Vice President. In 1985-86 Ray served as the President of the Albert Lea Post 56 American Legion. He enjoyed being President of the Sons of Norway. Ray was very involved in the church and it had been a very important part of his life. He served as the President of the Community Lutheran Church in Geneva, Minnesota.
Ray kept himself active each day helping anyone or his brothers with things that needed being taken care of. Naturally he enjoyed doing things around his house.
Survivors include Raymond Otterson Jr. of Killeen, TX, Einer (Lynn) Otterson of Arvada, CO, Cindy (Darrel) Hankerson of Auburn, AL, and Valarie (special friend Tom Newman) Otterson of Clarks Grove, MN. Grandchildren: Kimberly Chapman of Troy, TX, Karie (Jeremy) Zierden of Albert Lea, MN, Jillian (Fiancé Matt Bjornberg) Otterson of Savage, MN, Ryan Otterson of Arvada, CO. Great Grandchildren: Logan and Paige Zierden of Albert Lea, MN. Brothers and sisters-in-law; Ardene Otterson, Lloyd S. (Charleen) Otterson, Clifford (Margaret) Otterson, Marlene Otterson, Dovain V. Otterson, Odean S. (Marjorie) Otterson and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial can be sent to family to be used for Diabetes and Geneva Church.
Raymond died January 14, 2016 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.
Raymond Norris Otterson was born June 13, 1929 to Omar Otterson and Sophia Jacobson on his grandfather, Nels C. Jacobson’s farm north of Lerdal, Minnesota. He graduated from Albert Lea High School June 5, 1947. He had several jobs right out of school; working on the Rock Island railroad, a store clerk at the Lerdal Store and helping to build the meat lockers there. Ray also worked on several farms as a hired hand. On March 6, 1948, Ray enlisted in the army at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. He served 21 years in the army serving as an administrative noncommissioned officer. Ray was stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany; Aberdeen, Maryland; Indian Head, Maryland; Anchorage, Alaska, Leavenworth, Kansas; and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. He also served in Vietnam.
While Ray was stationed the first time at Aberdeen, Maryland, he was introduced to Berneice Cox who became his wife when they were married June 25, 1950. Ray and Berneice had been married for 58 ½ years before Berniece’s death in 2008.
When Ray retired from the army, he returned to Minnesota and built a home in Clarks Grove. He worked a short period of time at Streater’s until there was a shortage of work. He then went to work at Universal Milking Machines until 1971. In 1971 Ray and Berneice opened the Grove Café and ran it until 1973. In March of 1973 Ray started working at Enders Tool Company in Albert Lea until August of 1993 when he retired.
In 1981 Ray joined the Legion’s Careyares, all male chorus, where he served as Junior Vice President and Senior Vice President. In 1985-86 Ray served as the President of the Albert Lea Post 56 American Legion. He enjoyed being President of the Sons of Norway. Ray was very involved in the church and it had been a very important part of his life. He served as the President of the Community Lutheran Church in Geneva, Minnesota.
Ray kept himself active each day helping anyone or his brothers with things that needed being taken care of. Naturally he enjoyed doing things around his house.
Survivors include Raymond Otterson Jr. of Killeen, TX, Einer (Lynn) Otterson of Arvada, CO, Cindy (Darrel) Hankerson of Auburn, AL, and Valarie (special friend Tom Newman) Otterson of Clarks Grove, MN. Grandchildren: Kimberly Chapman of Troy, TX, Karie (Jeremy) Zierden of Albert Lea, MN, Jillian (Fiancé Matt Bjornberg) Otterson of Savage, MN, Ryan Otterson of Arvada, CO. Great Grandchildren: Logan and Paige Zierden of Albert Lea, MN. Brothers and sisters-in-law; Ardene Otterson, Lloyd S. (Charleen) Otterson, Clifford (Margaret) Otterson, Marlene Otterson, Dovain V. Otterson, Odean S. (Marjorie) Otterson and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial can be sent to family to be used for Diabetes and Geneva Church.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Raymond Norris Otterson, please visit our flower store.
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