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Carolyn Zelle Obituary
Carolyn was born on February 21, 1952, in Waverly, Iowa, the daughter of Lester and Frances Zelle. She was raised in Waverly, attended St. Paul Lutheran School and graduated from Waverly Shell Rock High School in 1970. She continued her education at Iowa State University, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science Degree, majoring in Textiles & Clothing. Following graduation, she started a buyer's training program at Marshall Fields in Chicago. Through contacts she made there, in 1977 she was hired by Pendleton Woolen Mills and moved to Portland, Oregon. There she met and married Don Otto on October 8, 1989. In 1991, Carolyn pursued a new career path as a producer for Odyssey Productions. She began producing a wide variety of films and videos for corporations, museums, interpretive centers, interactive media programs and PBS. This work offered her the opportunity to travel and explore all kinds of amazing places and meet many interesting people.
Carolyn was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in NE Portland, where she was an engaged and active member. She was also a member of Riverside Golf and Country Club, where she served as President of the Women's Organization in 2023. She will be remembered as a strong, courageous and compassionate woman, who always had time to share with family and friends.
Carolyn's memory is honored by: her husband Donald Otto of Portland; a brother Bruce (Candace) Zelle, Naperville, Illinois; a sister, Lorraine (Dan) Whitney, West Des Moines, Iowa; nieces and nephews, Sarah Beckman, Ames, Iowa; Brian (Katie) Zelle, Tucson, Arizona; Lauren Whitney, West Des Moines, Iowa; Daniel (Danielle) Whitney, Waukee, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A celebration of life was held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Portland on September 28, 2024. In addition, on October 20, 2024, at 4 p.m., a memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Waverly, Iowa. Her ashes will be laid to rest at her parent's gravesite in Waverly.
Memorials may be directed to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Portland, the Oregon Humane Society and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Waverly.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Carolyn Zelle
2 Entries
Carol Gilbert
October 17, 2024
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I have wonderful memories of Carolyn as a Kappa Kappa Gamma "sister" at ISU. Carolyn was always so kind and fun.
A special Thank you to Lorraine for keeping all of us informed throughout Carolyn's illness and treatment on the Caring Bridge.
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Marilyn Hansen
October 17, 2024
Lorraine, I'm so glad for the chance to write this. Carolyn and I were pledge sisters at Iowa State and I always considered her one of my closest friends. She was instrumental in bringing me to faith. And in fact, she was a bridesmaid at my wedding. Once she moved to Portland, we were separated by physical miles and saw each other very rarely and I am sad about that. When I think of Carolyn, I think of her quick smile and laugh and her infectious spirit. I am thankful for her strong faith. It was my privilege to know her. I send sympathy and love to all of your family in the months ahead.
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