1918
Frances
2013
Frances Mae Otterness
August 4, 1918 — May 8, 2013
DATELINE: Amarillo
YEAR OF BIRTH: 1918
Frances Mae Otterness, 94, passed away Wednesday, May 8, at Baptist St. Anthony’s Hospital in Amarillo, Texas.
Memorial services will be at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 3500 S. Bowie, Amarillo, Texas. A memorial service and inurnment will be held at a later date in Brookings, South Dakota. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia, Amarillo, Texas.
Frances was born August 4, 1918 in White, South Dakota to Elmer and Mary Fern “Maizie” Thayer. She was the granddaughter of pioneers of Dakota Territory and the daughter of the town banker. She graduated at the top of her high school class and was known for her athletic ability, piano playing, charming personality and stunning good looks.
She married Hans Otterness July 19, 1942, and moved to Brookings, South Dakota. She became Deputy Auditor for Brookings County, and yet managed skillfully to raise four sons, attending all the sports events, and being the Cub Scout leader. She was famous in the family for preparing and serving up to 35 relatives for holiday dinners. She was an avid bridge player and continued that hobby until the time of her death.
In 1972, Frances and Hans moved to Odessa, Texas, where they became owners of Lane Appliance and Fran’s Knit Shop. After Hans died June 22, 1996, Frances moved to Amarillo, Texas to be close to her youngest son, Brian, and his wife, Chris. She enjoyed many happy years living in her mother-in-law apartment and watching her youngest granddaughters grow up. She continued her active, healthy life style to the very end.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Hans (Harlan) Otterness and sister, Lola Thayer Paulsen.
Survivors include four sons, Ron and wife, Virginia, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Terry and wife, Teena, of Phoenix, Arizona, Dan and wife, Linda, of Chula Vista, California, and Brian and wife, Chris, of Amarillo, Texas; six granddaughters, Robin, Mary Frances, Lisa, Tracy, Katrin and Lauren. She has two great-grandsons, Gavin Harlan Lewis and Owen Michael Urwin. She is also survived by her brother, Gale Thayer of Madison, South Dakota; and her sister, Beverly Smith of Costa Mesa, California.
Frances was always proud of her family and realized complete love and devotion from all four daughters-in-law. Frances was truly the matriarch of her family and leaves us all with treasured memories.
YEAR OF BIRTH: 1918
Frances Mae Otterness, 94, passed away Wednesday, May 8, at Baptist St. Anthony’s Hospital in Amarillo, Texas.
Memorial services will be at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 3500 S. Bowie, Amarillo, Texas. A memorial service and inurnment will be held at a later date in Brookings, South Dakota. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia, Amarillo, Texas.
Frances was born August 4, 1918 in White, South Dakota to Elmer and Mary Fern “Maizie” Thayer. She was the granddaughter of pioneers of Dakota Territory and the daughter of the town banker. She graduated at the top of her high school class and was known for her athletic ability, piano playing, charming personality and stunning good looks.
She married Hans Otterness July 19, 1942, and moved to Brookings, South Dakota. She became Deputy Auditor for Brookings County, and yet managed skillfully to raise four sons, attending all the sports events, and being the Cub Scout leader. She was famous in the family for preparing and serving up to 35 relatives for holiday dinners. She was an avid bridge player and continued that hobby until the time of her death.
In 1972, Frances and Hans moved to Odessa, Texas, where they became owners of Lane Appliance and Fran’s Knit Shop. After Hans died June 22, 1996, Frances moved to Amarillo, Texas to be close to her youngest son, Brian, and his wife, Chris. She enjoyed many happy years living in her mother-in-law apartment and watching her youngest granddaughters grow up. She continued her active, healthy life style to the very end.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Hans (Harlan) Otterness and sister, Lola Thayer Paulsen.
Survivors include four sons, Ron and wife, Virginia, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Terry and wife, Teena, of Phoenix, Arizona, Dan and wife, Linda, of Chula Vista, California, and Brian and wife, Chris, of Amarillo, Texas; six granddaughters, Robin, Mary Frances, Lisa, Tracy, Katrin and Lauren. She has two great-grandsons, Gavin Harlan Lewis and Owen Michael Urwin. She is also survived by her brother, Gale Thayer of Madison, South Dakota; and her sister, Beverly Smith of Costa Mesa, California.
Frances was always proud of her family and realized complete love and devotion from all four daughters-in-law. Frances was truly the matriarch of her family and leaves us all with treasured memories.
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