Lester Morris Otto, age 90, formerly of Princeton, was called home by his Savior on Thursday, April 24, 2025, while residing at Anna’s House in the Markesan Resident Home. Lester was born on Jan. 19, 1935, in Marquette, the sixth of seven children born to Gustav and Ella (Henke) Otto.
Les, or Lessie as he was affectionately known as by his nieces and nephews, proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1953 to 1956 and continued to serve in the reserves until 1961. Les served across the globe including tours in Germany, Japan, and served on the DMZ line in Korea. He was a skilled marksman, not only receiving multiple ribbons and medals, but in fact, became a trainer at the California base. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and, we all chuckle here, the Good Conduct Award. On Aug. 22, 1959, Lester married Patricia Kwidzinski at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Berlin, Wis. They shared 50 years of marriage before Patricia’s passing on June 22, 2010.
Les was a Pabst and Packer fan, an avid hunter and loved fishing, especially on Swamp Lake where he and his family spent many years enjoying the Northwoods. He loved working with his hands, was a skilled crafter, and many homes are blessed with his mallard decoys. Les was also an artist, and his drawings and paintings were special gifts he shared. He worked for many years as a maintenance man, was a volunteer firefighter for 25 years with the Princeton Fire Department, and once his health put him on the sidelines, he spent his time working in the garage on his projects. Many mornings were spent with a cup of coffee, working on the latest puzzle, old westerns playing on the TV in the background, then turning to the notepad next to him to doodle out his newest idea. Les was a devout member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Princeton, and his voice could always be heard singing along to the hymns. Many were even blessed to hear his versions of Love Me Tender and Blueberry Hill, vying with both Elvis and Fats Domino.
Those Les leaves behind to cherish his memory include his children, James Otto, Jennifer Turkiewicz; four grandchildren, Cody Otto, Kylee Otto, Matthew (fiancée, Kenzie Modrzejewski) Turkiewicz, Gracie Turkiewicz; great-grandson, Cameron Otto; two great-granddaughters on the way; two brothers, Arlin (Glenda) Otto, Marvin (Shirley) Otto; sister, Laverne (Gary) Dean; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gustav and Ella Otto; wife, Patricia Otto; two brothers, Walter and Edward Otto; sister, Lorraine Otto; daughter-in-law, Tracy Otto; son-in-law, Scott Turkiewicz.
A funeral service for Lester Morris Otto will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11:30 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m., at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 226 S. Clinton St., in Princeton. Pastor John Stelter will officiate. Lester will be laid to rest following the service, with full military honors, in St. Michael’s Memorial Cemetery in Berlin, Wis. In lieu of flowers, if you prefer, a memorial has been established. Please visit our website www.wachholzandsons.com to send a condolence or to share a memory of Lester with his family.
