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BORN
1981
DIED
2021
FUNERAL HOME
Charles Otto Obituary
He was baptized May 3, 1981 at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar, Minn. and was later confirmed there. He loved participating in Civil Air Patrol as a teenager. He earned an open water diver certification in 1996. He earned his solo wings Aug. 23, 1997. He was awarded the CAP Billy Mitchell Award in 1998. He graduated from Willmar Senior High School in June 1999.
He married Melanie Langston on Feb. 2, 2013 in St. George, Utah and they have two children, Andrew Charles Otto and Emma Samantha Otto.
There was never a husband and father more dedicated to his family than Charles. His greatest joy was playing with and caring for his children, and they absolutely adored him.
He loved camping, driving side-by-sides and riding bicycles with his family.
In November 1999 Charles joined the United States Navy. He served on the USS Leyte Gulf and the USS Bunker Hill as a Cryptological Technician.
He earned two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, a National Defense Service Medal, a Navy Good Conduct Medal, Navy Battle Efficiency "E" Ribbons, an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, an Iraqi Campaign Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Charles E. "Chuck" Yeagar Aerospace Education Achievement Award. He was honorably discharged in November 2005.
He received a Rolf Institute of Structural Integration Rolfing Certification, then a bachelor's degree in law enforcement and recreation, parks and leisure services from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
He worked at Yellowstone National Park, Great Basin National Park and Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and attended the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center four times.
At Lake Mead he was an instructor in use of force, firearms, and the Motorboat Operator Instructor Certification Course. He was also a Field Training Officer/Ranger. His favorite aspects of his job were boating and firefighting. His co-workers looked up to him as a talented ranger and mentor.
He is survived by his wife and children, Melanie, Andrew and Emma; parents, Gerald and Debra (Mathison) Otto; sister, Bethany Otto and her children Ryder and Leiden; half-sisters, Julie (Larry) Knott, JeanMarie Nordlund, and Jennifer (Chad) Sandstrom; grandfather Marcel Mathison; as well as in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents Lois Mathison and William and Evangeline Otto.
Funeral services will be Monday, March 22 at 1 p.m. at the LDS Church Building at 801 Arrowhead Trail, Henderson, Nev. 89002. There will be a visitation from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the same location. Online condolences can be sent to www.sumortuary.com.
Services will be held
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Memories and Condolences
for Charles Otto
Sponsored by Southern Utah Mortuary - Cedar City.
Cheri Antony Buzzeo
March 29, 2021
My Deepest sympathy to Deb, Gerry, Bethany and Charles' families. I'm so very saddened to hear of your loss. Sending love and hugs and continued prayers for comfort and peace. He will never be forgotten and remembered fondly through stories and legacy of family and amazing life that he lived. Cheri
Ginny Crowe
March 27, 2021
Worked with Charles at Lake Mead will miss seeing him at the Entrance Stations into the park
Ann Oldroyd
March 24, 2021
I did not know Melanie's husband, but I am very close to his in laws. Craig & Ilene Langston. I do wish your families my condolences. May God Bless you all. Ann Langston Oldroyd
Annette Kotzenmacher
March 24, 2021
I’m so sadden to see and read of the passing of Chuck as I knew him.Would like to extend my deepest sympathy to you all as you have to go through this.He was a very outgoing vibrant,funny, caring, compassionate guy.Chuck and I worked together at grocery store in Willmar,Mn many years ago but oh how I will not forget him as we had a lot of good times together with lots of laughs and yes hard work. Funny how times have changed..if there had been Facebook, Instagram ,etc I know we would’ve stayed in touch but it’s been so many years it just broken my heart and brought me to tears of this young man I knew.God bless you all..will be thinking of you and how such a vibrant young giymwith so much going for him could be gone so soon.Prayers!
Bobbie Mattison
March 24, 2021
Deb and Gerry,
I am so sorry to hear about Chuck. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family!
Gail & Gary Myhre
March 24, 2021
Gerry and Deb--Words cannot express the sadness in our hearts after hearing of the death of Chuck. May God bless you with lots of wonderful memories and an appreciation for the years you were blessed to have him in your lives. We are praying for you and your family during this difficult time. ❤
Patricia Wunder
March 24, 2021
Debbie and Gerry, I am sorry for your loss. I know from hearing you talk about him and his family that he was a remarkable young man. My condolences to you, his wife, and children.
Greg Gabriel
March 23, 2021
Deb & Gerry, I am sorry to hear about the death of your son. I extend my sympathy to you.
Coby Bishop
March 23, 2021
Fair winds and following seas, Charles. God bless your family, friends, and coworkers.
Kathy Schammel
March 22, 2021
I am so sorry for the loss of this wonderful young man you called Son, friend, colleague, husband and father. I had Chuck as a Senior at Willmar Senior High. He always had a smile and also had some advice for me. He told me about his moms Mile High Apple Pie. He made it in class, and when I saw how high it was, he wanted to know if it wasn’t the best specimen of an apple pie I’d ever seen, and he asked if he had completed it correctly! I complimented his pie and the only thing I told him was that he had no vents in the top crust, and I told him he’d need a chimney to vent that pie. And Chuck did that, he made a beautiful chimney on top of his pie! He promised that if it made a mess in the oven, he’d clean it. Needless to say, his chimney worked well! What a great young man and such a wonderful role model he was to his peers. He had high goals set, and it’s great to see that he achieved them. He contributed so much to his country, family and community. I’m so sorry for your loss. Chuck was an amazing student and young man. I’ve told the story of his pie many times to other classes and friends. I’ll always cherish the hand written recipe he shared with me of The Mile High Apple Pie. God Bless all of you and I pray for you, for comfort and peace in your loss. ❤
Tom Parrack
March 22, 2021
Melanie and Family,
I was one of Charles’s FTR’s while he was in training at Sequoia and Kings Canyon back in 2015. I remember him as enthusiastic and driven, and very excited to wrap up the long training cycle so he could be home with family. I am sorry beyond words, and I hope and pray that you and your family can find the support and comfort that you need and deserve.
Evelyn Hoyle
March 21, 2021
Melanie and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope as time goes on your memories will be a comfort to you and your children. My thoughts and prayers are with your family
Keith and Cheryl Young
March 21, 2021
Gerry, Deb, and Melanie,
I am sorry for your loss! I first met Charles when I spoke at MSU-Mankato to the RPLS classes and got know him there! I hired him as the Bear/Wildlife Ranger in Mammoth, and I thoroughly enjoyed supervising him and working with that year in the park! He was a good man! We will be praying for you and your family for peace and comfort!
Jim and Karen McKay
March 21, 2021
Gerry and Deb,
We are so sorry for your loss. I remember him as a young man and his determination to succeed in whatever he did. We will be praying for you and your family.
Melanie Dickman (Boike)
March 20, 2021
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Chuck from my Sunday School classes at Vinje and graduated with him at Willmar High school. Praying for peace and comfort for your family!
Rich Taylor
March 20, 2021
Gerry and Deb,
My heart goes out to you for the passing of Chuck. I got to know him very well when we were in Civil Air Patrol together. He was a true and natural leader then; reading about him now, that carried on through his life. My prayers are with all of Chuck’s family.
Jim Hillenbrand
March 20, 2021
Dear Deb and Gerry,
So sorry to hear about Chuck’s passing. I only remember him as a young child living in Willmar. It was good to read about Chuck’s military service, many achievements, skills, work, and love for his family. Learning that he was an instructor was not too surprising knowing his mom and dad.
Please know you are in our prayers.
Sincerely
Jim & Deb Hillenbrand
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