PLEASE NOTE THE VISITATION WILL BE HELD TUESDAY PRIOR TO THE SERVICES ONLY. THERE WILL BE NO VISITATION ON MONDAY

Jerry L. Otto – age 79, of Laurens, passed away on Friday, October 21, 2022, at the Fonda Specialty Care Center in Fonda, Iowa.

Jerry Lee Otto was born on July 1, 1943, in Rolfe, Iowa. He was the son of Willard and Ruth (Roberts) Otto. Jerry graduated from Laurens Consolidated School in 1961. After graduation, Jerry enlisted in the Army where he had his basic training in Ft. Riley, Kansas. During that time he was sent to Maryland for specialized training. He returned to Ft. Riley and finished his two years of service. In 1963, Jerry was united in marriage to Margaret Bushway in Ft. Riley, Kansas. They were the parents of three girls and one boy. After his military service, they moved back to Massachusetts, where Margaret was from. They lived in Belchertown, MA and then Northampton, MA where Jerry worked as a Law Enforcement officer. They divorced in 1978. Jerry then lived and worked in various cities on the east coast. He then moved to Bradenton, Florida. On September 19, 1997, Jerry was united in marriage to Virginia (Perkins) Widrick in Bradenton, Florida. The couple settled in Bradenton where they both worked for the Manatee County Sheriffs Department. In 2005, they retired and returned to Laurens. In April of 2019, Jerry entered the care center and Virginia continued to make her home in Laurens.

Jerry was a member of the United Methodist Church. He especially enjoyed working crossword puzzles.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Virginia; daughters, Michele (David) Mattox of Beaufort, SC, Ruth (Chuck) Dilts of Culver, IN and Kelly Bittle of Laurens; son, Christopher Otto of Culver, IN; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; 5 brothers; 2 sisters and many nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; one sister and a brother-in-law.