Kenneth L. Otto, 70, Minot, died Monday, May 31, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer in his home with his loving wife by his side.

Ken was born March 26, 1940, in Conway, ND to William Sr. and Emily (Johnson) Otto. He was raised and educated in the Velva area.

Ken enlisted into the US Navy on January 11, 1961, in Fargo, ND. He proudly served his country during the Vietnam conflict aboard the U.S.S. Kennebec until his honorable discharge from active service on January 8, 1965. He went on to serve an additional two more years in the US Navy reserves.

Ken was united in marriage to Helen Dahlberg Scott on April 15, 1988 in Minot, where they have made their home. Ken made his living with his hands working in the construction field. He was employed by Mac, Inc. of Glenburn, ND as a welder until ill health forced him to retire in August 2009.

He was a lover of outdoor activities that included hunting, fishing and camping at the Hall farmstead located near Bottineau. His passion was the art of winemaking, utilizing the apples, cherries and grapes, grown in his own yard by his own hand. Ken will be deeply missed for all of these activities that he shared, but will never be forgotten.

Ken was once married to Linda Herman and they were blessed with a daughter, Debbie Jo.

Surviving family includes: Loving wife of 22 years, Helen, Minot; Daughter, Debbie Jo (Jason) Hartung; Stepdaughters, Julie (Randy) Burgard, Bismarck, ND and Angela Scott, Burnsville, MN; Stepson, Jeff Hahn, Minot; 9 Grandchildren, Kristina LaFournaise, Rebecca Wentzel, Tia-Lee Whitted, Amanda Skadsem, Andrew Skadsem, Taylor LaFournaise, Tommy Valentine, Kaden Burgard and Koby Hahn; 5 Great-Grandchildren, Cameron and Kimber Whitted, Trey Oden, and Zoey and Emma Wentzel; Sisters, Joyce (Gerald) Tiegen, Newport, OR and Carol (Gerald) Reif, Garrison, ND and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Wanda Brevig, Julia Sandberg, and Sharon Klimpel and brothers, William Jr, Gordon, Albert and Orville Otto.

Funeral service: 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 8, 2010, at Southside Church of the Nazarene, Minot, ND
Interment: 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, 2010, at the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery, Rural Mandan, ND.
Visitation: Monday, June 7, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.