Obituary of Donna Marilyn OTTE

Donna Marilyn Otte, beloved wife of John Otte, passed away on January 10, 2015 at the age of 82. Donna was born in Morden, Manitoba on April 30, 1932. At the age of 10, she moved to Flin Flon, Manitoba and then on to Calgary in 1956. On December 5, 1959, she married John; this year was their 55th wedding anniversary. Donna has touched many lives in her community with her involvement. In 1962 while being the superintendent of the Bowness United Church Sunday School she founded the “Cat in the Hat” play School in the Bowness United Church starting with 12 students and growing to 80. In 1967 the “Cat in the Hat” school was opened in the basement of their house. Her classes now had grown to 118 four and five year olds. Donna even transported 60 students with her bus service. Donna would take her classes to entertain at the various nursing homes in the area and the Foothills Medical Centre; as well as putting on a Christmas Concert each year for the families and seniors. Donna loved her music as much as she did being with children. She was a member of the Foothills Stompers since 1976. She sang back up for a Gospel Group with Alvena Beach as well as singing with the Sweet Adelines. During her career with the Sweet Adelines she performed in two quartets, eight member Gospel group, as well as the Gold Diggers. In addition to singing in the Sweet Adelines, Donna held numerous position including heading the costume committee. Donna enjoyed her curling. John and Donna were members at the Calgary Curling Club and The Winter Club. Donna volunteered for the Brier, carrying the Saskatchewan flag for Rick Folks team. Their love of curling took them to Silver Broom in Moncton and Winnipeg. In the summer you would find Donna outside working and enjoying her back yard. She loved to garden especially growing her geraniums, begonias, and double petunias. Donna is lovingly remembered by her husband John, sons and daughters-in-law Blaine, Shelley, Curtis and Kathy-Jo and son-in-law Craig. Donna is also survived by her grandchildren; Michelle (Jeremy), Sherry (Darrell), Candace (John), Tylor (Kelsey) and Devon as well as thirteen great-grandchildren; Ainsley, Jenna, Kylie, Brandon, Isabella, Brooklynn, Dominic, Joshua, Charlyce, Colby, Natasia, Issac, and Declan. Donna had three nieces and nephews, Randy, Kim and Cllint. Donna was predeceased by a daughter Sharlee, her sister Lynn and her parents. A memorial will be held at the Bowness United Church, 3803 – 69th Street NW, on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 1:00 pm. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Diabetes Foundation , #244, 708 – 11th Avenue SW, Calgary, T2R 0E4, telephone: 403-228-1488, www.albertadiabetesfoundation.com The family would like to thank the nurses and the staff of the Foothills Medical Centre for the excellent care she received.