Martha M. Otto

Martha M. Otto, age 93, of Linn, passed away Thursday, January 6, 2011, at University Hospital in Columbia. Martha was born September 17, 1917, in Osage County, a daughter of the late August and Regina (Koenigsfeld) Franken. On February 12, 1945, she was united in marriage to Frederick J. Otto in Linn. He preceded her in death on December 18, 1957. A lifelong resident of the Linn community, Martha graduated from St. George School and in 2010 she received the Distinguished Graduate award. She worked many years for Goff's Store and Thriftway Market. Martha was an active member of St. George Parish, The St. Ann Sodality Society, the VFW Post 4756 Ladies Auxiliary, and The Knights of Columbus Auxiliary. Survivors include: three sons, Harry Otto and his wife Mary Kay of Jefferson City, Dick Otto and his wife Donna of Columbia, and Tom Otto and his wife Mary Beth of Osage Beach; one son-in-law, Jim Gentges of Frankenstein; two sisters, Alma Hamburg and Corella Samson, both of Linn; nine grandchildren, Cheri (Gentges) and her husband Kevin Messerli of California, David Gentges of Healdsburg, Calif., Shelly (Gentges) Voss of Linn, Julie (Otto) and her husband Russ Clever of O'Fallon, Jill Otto of Jefferson City, Jake Otto of Columbia, Christine (Otto) and her husband Rickey Head of Osage Beach, Sarah (Otto) and her husband David Darmitzel of Kansas City, Teresa Otto of Kansas City; nine great- grandchildren, Emily, Marlee and Ben Voss, Andrew, Michael, Phillip and Daniel Clever, Riley and Hailey Head and baby Darmitzel due in mid-January; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Kay Gentges and Barbara Sue Otto; and two brothers, Vince and Ben Franken. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 9, 2011, at Morton Chapel in Linn with a rosary service at 7:30 p.m. and a VFW Post 4756 Ladies Auxiliary service following the rosary. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 10, 2011, at St. George Church in Linn with Fr. I.C. Medina as the celebrant and Fr. Edwin Schmidt and Fr. Brendan P. Doyle as concelebrants. Interment will follow at the St. George Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the St. George Parish School Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel, Linn (573-897-2214) www.mortonchapel.com