Jean Anne Otto

Jean Anne Otto, 85, of South Haven went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, September 10, 2017 surrounded by her family at River Ridge Retirement Village in South Haven.

Jean was born on April 7, 1932 in South Haven to Alonzo and Zera Wierenga.  She was a graduate of South Haven High School and Hope College. Post graduate work was completed at Western Michigan University and the University of Colorado.  For ten years she was employed as an elementary school teacher in area public schools and also served as program director at Hope Reformed Church for six years. 

Jean was a faithful member of Hope Reformed Church where she served as Elder, choir member, Stephen minister and in many areas of education and women’s work.  Her devotional writings were published in the RCW Bible Study Books and Words of Hope in the late 1980s to the early 1990s.  She helped organize and was an active in leadership of two cancer support groups, “I Can Cope” and “Make Today Count”.  Recently, Jean spent hours working on weekly bible studies for her fellow residents at River Ridge.

Jean loved to travel with her husband on the historic Delta Queen paddle-wheel steamboat and to shop for the holidays.  Most recently Jean loved making cards for all occasions for those around her and painting pictures on canvas.

Jean is survived by sons Steven Otto of Holland, MI and David (Bobbie) Otto of South Haven, MI; grandchildren Ryan (Emily) Otto and Erin (Matt) Pielin; and great grandchildren Noah and Lucie Otto and Ethan and Mia Pielin. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her son, Kenneth Veenstra and her parents, Alonzo and Zera Wierenga.

Visitation will be Friday, September 15th at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m.  A Memorial Celebration Service will be Saturday, September 16th at Hope Reformed Church at 11 a.m. with Rev. Steve Smallegan officiating.  Burial will take place at Lake View Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to Hope Reformed Church or Hospice at Home.