Otilla M. "Dodie" Schley

Otilla Marie “Dodie” Schley, age 100, formerly of Faribault, died peacefully Thursday March 28, 2024.  Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 10, at 11:00 am at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault, Minnesota.  Visitation will begin at the church 90 minutes prior to the service, with luncheon to follow.  Interment will be immediately after the luncheon, at Calvary Cemetery in Faribault.

The family prefers that memorials be directed to Bethlehem Academy High School for the Wilmer and Otilla Schley Scholarship Fund in memory of Otilla. 

Otilla was born June 4, 1923 in Richland Township, of Rice County, Minnesota to Raymond and Anna (Underdahl) Kane.  She graduated from Faribault High School in 1941.   She was united in marriage to Wilmer A. (Bill) Schley on June 10, 1941, at Immaculate Conception Parish House in Faribault.

Otilla was blessed with a whole century of a full life. 

As a child, Otilla excelled academically, receiving accolades for her typing abilities, shorthand proficiency, and perfect attendance.  After marriage, Otilla and Bill lived in a rural farmhouse without electricity or running water.  After a few years, they built a basement-only home in Faribault and later built the rest of the house and moved upstairs.

They had three children: Patty, Sandy, and Michael, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren (who called them Poppy and Dodie).  They enjoyed spending time with friends including a supper club.  Otilla belonged to several bridge clubs-everyone wanted her as their partner!  She was a homemaker, a member of the Bethlehem Academy PTA, and active with her FHS class of ‘41.

Otilla was active in various community organizations including the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary (of which she was president in 1989 and 1990), Immaculate Conception Rosary Society, and Meals On Wheels. She was also a member of the Befriender Ministry.  Otilla’s volunteer activities at District One Hospital included delivering mail, working at the gift shop, and organizing bake sales.

After the death of her beloved Billy in 1999, Otilla deepened her friendships with her 8th Avenue neighbors and others in the community.   She enjoyed being an adopted senior citizen telling stories and sharing memories at Jefferson Elementary school.   Dodie also spent more time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who enjoyed making lefse and sugar cookies with her.

She was preceded in death by her husband Wilmer A. Schley, daughter Sandy Hanlon, son-in-law Steve Hanlon, son-in-law Dean Trutnau, daughter-in-law Peggy T. O’Brien Schley, grandson Casey Trutnau, her parents, her brothers Joseph and Edward Kane, and her sisters Elizabeth Gale and Annabelle Jirik.

Otilla is survived by daughter Patricia Trutnau and son Michael Schley; grandchildren Michele Hanlon, Steve (Shannon) Hanlon, Scott (Jennifer) Hanlon, Robert Trutnau (Julie), Angela Trutnau, Tricia Trutnau, Renee Schley, Maureen Schley (Bart), and Erin Schley; great-grandchildren Charlie, William, and Louis Hanlon, Lily and Emma Hanlon, Kallie (Peter) Bennett, Cody Trutnau, and Kortney Trutnau; and great-great granddaughter Lennon Bennett.