Marion Anthony Otter passed from this earth at the age of 87 on November 20, 2022, at home in New Almelo, KS.
Marion was born on the farm in Norton County on March 28, 1935, to Frank G. Otter and Margaret K. [Bates] Otter.
He was joined in Holy Matrimony with Marilyn F. [Hickert] on November 28, 1957. To this marriage were born Frank, Greg, Steve, Doug and Emily [Otter] Kessler.
Marion might have told you that he was a graduate of the school of hard knocks or that tuition is high, no matter where you go to school. He was a farmer/rancher, an inventor and had a natural understanding of engineering and economics. In 1958, he founded Otter Manufacturing in a small out-building on the farm, later upgrading to a building made from the top of a barn and later into the twin buildings that is now Otter’s Inc in rural Norton County. From the beginning he built tool implement carriers and dozer blades for farm tractors, performed equipment repairs for neighbors and assisted in many area projects. Over the years he and sons Frank, Greg and Doug continued to farm, ranch and build dozer blades. Marion and Marilyn delivered blades to over 20 states over the years before incorporating the business and semi-retiring in 1997. He continued to work with the guys at the farm doing whatever needed to be done.
Over the years, Marion was a member of several organizations including St Joseph’s Parish Council, Knights of Columbus, National Farmer Organization (NFO), Western Kansas Manufacturing Association (WKMA), USD 213 Lenora School Board, Goodland Vocational Technical school board, Rural Telephone Service board, Norton County Soil Conservation Service and St. Joseph Cemetery sexton. During the 70’s he also coached and umpired games for Lenora K-18 league baseball.
He was active in his parish of St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Almelo and the community where he helped with numerous projects including mixing & hauling mortar for the school gymnasium school addition. Renovating the St. Joseph church in the 60’s and addition of accessibility ramp and entrance to the church. Some of his welding projects included the belltower for the Jennings Methodist Church, the Allison livestock collection point, metal trusses for re-roofing the St. Joseph & Lenora Grade School, the Lenora Larrick Park concession stand and restroom modernization.
Marion is survived by his wife Marilyn; siblings: Alvin Otter, Sr., Donna Otter, and JoAnn Long; children: Frank [Levonne], Greg [Tammy], Steve and Emily [Gary]; nine grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.
Marion was preceded in death by his parents, Frank G. Otter and Margaret K. Otter; siblings: Emory [infant], Rita [infant], Virginia (Sr Francis Margaret), Irene (Sr Mary Ester) and son, Douglas E. Otter.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 am Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, New Almelo, KS. Visitation will be 5-7:00 pm Monday, November 28, with a Rosary of our Lord following at 7:00 pm at the New Almelo Gymnasium.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and may be sent in care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at www.plumergobber.com