Steven Mark Otis

STEVEN MARK OTIS, age 78, of Apple Valley passed away on July 10, 2025 at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis from a 2-year battle with cancer.
Steven was born on January 26, 1947, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Robert and Elizabeth (Claire) Otis. He grew up in St. Louis Park and graduated from St. Louis Park High School. After graduation, he served in the United States Navy as a Signalman on three different war ships. Following his service, Steve owned numerous businesses in the Burnsville area and then joined Park Jeep in Burnsville as a car salesman for over forty years, a job he truly loved and tried to get to work as often as health would allow, never wanting to retire. He was united in marriage to Kathleen Larson on 06/05/1971 at Richfield, and later divorced. He found his forever girlfriend and was united in marriage to Julia Berndt on December 20, 2023 at their home in Apple Valley.
Steve was a kind and caring man whose love and generosity have touched so many lives. He had a wonderful sense of humor that stayed with him even up to the end when his health was failing him. He was so grateful for the wonderful care he received from the VA during a most difficult battle with Lung Cancer. Family and friends were so important to Steve and loved hosting Holiday gatherings with his wife Julia. Julia was his constant companion and caregiver whose love carried him through everything.
Steve is survived by his devoted wife Julia, one daughter Libby (Karl) Peterson of Richfield, two granddaughters Alina Nguyen (Shelby Johnson) and Kia (Daniel) Doffing, one grandson Kyle Rice-Peterson, five greatgrandchildren, Dominik Johnson, Maximilian Doffing, Mackenzie Doffing, Kylie Rice-Peterson and Grayson Rice-Peterson, one brother Robert (Karen Ladin) Otis, two sisters Linda Nolan and Susan (Jim) Miller, along with other nieces and nephews, relatives and many Dear Friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
Funeral service Saturday, August 2nd, 11:00am at White Funeral Homes,12804 Nicollet Ave. S, Burnsville, MN 55337. Visitation will be one hour before service. Interment at Fort Snelling Cemetery at a later date.