Otho Lee Stevens

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Otho Stevens, 90, of Horton, passed away peacefully January 9, 2026, at Amberwell Hiawatha.

Otho Lee Stevens was born October 3, 1935, at home in Rulo, NE the youngest of 12 children born to John and Clara Brooks Stevens of Rulo. He grew up at Rulo where he went to school thru 8th grade upon which time they closed the Rulo high school. He went freshman year at Sacred Heart in Falls City, before the family moved to Horton where he has resided since he was 16, graduating from Horton High School with the Class of 1954 before taking a diesel engineering correspondence course. He could do anything he set his mind to: worked for Dallas Kurtz running a bulldozer and cement truck; worked for the City of Horton power plant, was one of the first welders for Hammersmith Manufacturing, ran Stevens Small Engine Repair for many years of which he sold lawn care items like Lawn Boy and Ariens mowers, worked on small items like chain saws up to big things like bulldozers along with vehicles, tractors, etc. He and three other men spent over 500 hours each volunteering their time to build the current "Blue Building" at Horton.

A number of years ago, Otho served as police commissioner until they changed to the current form of city government. Otho found time to also serve in the Lions Club, and BPOE #1741, Hiawatha Elks Lodge. When the boys were younger, he coached little league baseball many years.

He was baptized in the Methodist Church in Rulo. He and his wife Kay Heim were married December 9, 1954, at Falls City. Together, they were unstoppable, unmovable, did everything together not scared of anything: operated the Liberty Theater; refurbished homes to rent and sell, operated Stevens Tru Value Hardware, and built their home on Mission Lake in 1975. They even raised hogs and cattle for a time. They built and ran the OK Corral drive in for 5 years before retiring. Otho in later years was involved with the Reinvent Horton program. Kay died March 30, 2019. Also preceded in death by his parents, a grand-daughter Sarah Beth; 11 brothers and sisters: Curtis, Robert, John Jr., Chester, Delilah, Harvey, Floyd, Clarence, Chlorene, Leahruth and Emma Florence.

Survivors include a daughter Debbie Knudson (Gordon) of rural Everest, Timothy Stevens (Karen) of Horton, Val Stevens (Shelli) of Hoyt; 6 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Otho's Eternal Life is planned for 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the Blue Building in Horton. Pastor Tom Stone will officiate. Interment will follow at the Horton Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha after 10 a.m. Monday. The family will meet with friends that evening from 6 until 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Horton High School Shop Class, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com