Karron Otto

Karron Otto, 79, Spring Hill, KS, died July 7, 2015, at Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, KS

Karron Otto was born October 2, 1935, on a farm north of Robinson, ND, in Kidder County. He was the son of Dave and Martha [Miller] Otto. As an infant, he moved with his family to Jamestown, ND, and then to a farm southwest of Jamestown where he lived until he finished the first grade at a rural school. The family then moved back to Jamestown. He attended Jamestown elementary schools, graduating from Jamestown High School in 1953. He was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church where he was a member until moving from the Jamestown area.

While attending school, he caddied at the Jamestown Country Club [now Hillcrest Golf Course], Sunset Outdoor Theatre and worked at the National Tea Food Store.

After graduation he volunteered for the army draft and after basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, was assigned to the 53rd Infantry regiment, 71st [Ski Borne] Division at Fort Richardson, Alaska.

After his release from the army, he returned to Jamestown and went to work for the Northern Pacific Railway as a Brakeman. He later switched to the Clerk's Department and in 1968 accepted an exempt position in the Traffic [Sales & Service] Department and moved to Grand Forks, ND, until 1970 when he was transferred to Bismarck until 1984, when he was transferred to Overland Park, KS. In 1994 he transferred to Fort Worth, TX.

He retired in 1995 after 40 years with the Railroad and moved back to KS where he resided in rural Spring Hill and worked as an ambassador at Sycamore Ridge Golf Course. While living in Jamestown, he was a member of the Hillcrest Men's Golf Association and was involved in changing the design of the course, helping to put in the first five grass greens and planting many trees.

He was a member of the Bismarck Transportation Club and an advisor for the Burlington Northern Explorer Post. He was a member of the Mandan American Legion Post 0040. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, and attending his grandchildren's sporting events.

He married Karen Wynes in 1957.


He is survived by three daughters, Stephanie [Mark] Olson, Cheyenne, WY; Vicki Gibson, Powell, WY; Melanie Edler, Olathe, KS; and one son, David [Michelle] Otto Sr., Spring Hill, KS; fourteen grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren; two sisters, Shirley Olsvig, Jamestown, ND; and Nadine [Larry] Readel, Jamestown, ND; one brother, Roger [Jeannie] Otto, Meridian, ID.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law Russ Olsvig, and son-in-law John Edler.