Otto T. Lawson Sr.

Otto T. Lawson Sr.

Sheldon, Iowa

Celebration of life services for Otto T. Lawson Sr., age 92, of Sheldon who passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Sanford Sheldon Medical Center. His celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, May 23, 2025, at Faith Community Church in Sheldon with Pastor Kevin Gingerich, officiating.

To view Otto's service via livestream, please register at: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=336f60db-088e-4d42-a353-ee713c3c2fd0

Burial with military honors will be at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.

Visitation with family present will be from 5 to 7 P.M. on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Otto’s Mission through Faith Community Church in Sheldon.

IN LOVING MEMORY

OTTO T. LAWSON SR.

BORN

December 18, 1932

Lampson, Wisconsin

PASSED AWAY

May 18, 2025

Sheldon, Iowa

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

10:30 A.M. Friday, May 23, 2025

Faith Community Church; Sheldon, Iowa

Pastor Kevin Gingerich - Officiating

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS

“In The Garden”

“Little Brown Church In The Vail”

“Because He Lives”

Organist: Pam Kobbe

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS

“Grandchildren & Great Grandchilden”

Tim, Shannon & Isla Lawson

Jessica, Reid & Heath Francis

FINAL RESTING PLACE

East Lawn Cemetery - Sheldon, Iowa

Military Rights Presented by:

McGlothen-Cowie Post of the Sheldon American Legion

After today’s graveside service, relatives and friends are invited to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements are under the care of the

Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa.

Otto Thomas Lawson, Sr. 92, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2025, with his loving wife by his side in Sheldon, Iowa.

Born on December 18, 1932, in Lampson, Wisconsin, Otto was the seventh of ninechildren born to Harvey William Lawson and Lillian Helen Metzdorf. He completed the 8th grade in a Wisconsin county school at the age of 12. Without the opportunity for a formal education, he began working to support his family – hauling logs for a local lumber company and helping on the family farm.

In 1954, Otto was drafted into the U.S. Navy, where he earned his GED, graduated from Electrician’s Mate A School, and met Darlene Dora Van Selus. After a brief courtship, the two were married in 1957 at the United Methodist Church in Shell Lake, Wisconsin.

Following his service, Otto and his brother Harvey opened a hardware store in Renwick, Iowa, later relocating both the business and their families to Sheldon. Otto served his community with pride as a member of the city council for ten years and as a dedicated volunteer on the Sheldon Community Ambulance Team.

A man of deep faith, Otto was an essential member of his church community, contributing to the building committee and Stephens Ministry program. He participated in several mission trips to Haiti, using his characteristic handyman skills to help build an elementary school.

In 1999, Otto and Darlene embraced retirement by joining the NOMADS (Nomads On A Mission Active in Divine Service), a United Methodist ministry. They traveled the U.S in their RV, assisting in repairs and disaster relief efforts across the country. After their RV days, they became “Winter Texans” in 2003 and founded the Pharr Community Outreach Program. Through this program, they worked with numerous churches, FEMA, the Salvation Army, ARISE, and other organizations to support underserved communities in Pharr, Texas, and surrounding areas.

After Darlene’s passing, Otto married Robin Hamilton of Manassas, Virginia, in 2012. Together, they continued the mission of service through the Outreach Program and traveled the world, united in purpose and love. Most recently, Otto and Robin enjoyed their time split between Sheldon and Pharr, with their dog, Casey, by their side.

Otto was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Earl, Paul, Harvey, Louise, Millie, Johnny, and Lillian. He is survived by his wife, Robin; his sister, Anna May; his children, Otto (Mary) and Cindy (Jeff); his grandchildren, Timothy (Shannon) and Jessica (Reid); and two wonderful great-grandchildren, Isla and Heath.