Yvonne M. Otto Obituary
Yvonne M. "Mimi" Otto passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on June 26, 2025 at the age of 90. She was born on January 22, 1935 in Sebewaing, MI to Clarence and Charlotte (Wiechert) Jahr.
She graduated from Sebewaing High School, and worked in Bay City. She married Lee Otto in 1957. Thanks to Chevrolet, they were able to enjoy traveling, including to Europe and Hawaii.
On June 14, Lee and Yvonne celebrated 68 years of marriage. They began their life together in Linwood, and were members of Kawkawlin Community Church, where they cherished decades of fellowship, friendships, camping/canoe trips, and where Yvonne served as church secretary for many years.
They were blessed with three children: Christine (Darren) Crandle, and twins Jeffrey (Julie) Otto and Nikki (David) Keenan. At 63, she excitedly and enthusiastically took on her role as grandmother, and soon after, became affectionately known as "Mimi" by her oldest grandson. The name is now lovingly used by her entire family. She has eight grandchildren: Evan (Jennifer) Crandle; Lauren (Jordan) Day; Hannah and Emma Crandle; Blake (Kelsey) Otto; Grant Otto; Jack and Erin Keenan. She has five great-grandchildren: Mila, Myles, Theodore, Henry, and Benjamin, whom she was able to meet and hold for the first time the day before she passed into the arms of her Savior, Jesus. Nothing brought more joy to her than her family.
In 1989, Lee and Yvonne moved to Gladwin to own and operate Lee Otto Pontiac/Buick/GMC, and did so until 2018. She enjoyed working at Sun Seekers Salon, and volunteering at the Brook, where she blessed so many with hugs, kind words, and physical touch.
Mimi loved spending time with and talking to her grandkids. She enjoyed reading and faithfully read her "Our Daily Bread" devotional. She was a fun and involved grandmother, and her signature back scratches and face massages will be missed and remembered by all. In her later years, she enjoyed watching reruns of "The Waltons" and cowboy shows. In 2013, at age 78, she and Lee joined Jeff and family to take part in a Guiness Book World Record kayak flotilla in Suttons Bay.
Yvonne is survived by sisters-in-law Dianne Jahr and Lorraine Otto; brother-in-law, Joe Otto and wife, Marlene; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by brother Clarence (Sprizz) and Janet Jahr; sister Rita (Robert) Bolger; and brother Bill Jahr; Donald and Shirley Otto; Lester Otto; Bill and Shirley Kundinger.
A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, July 12 at New Beginnings Gobal Methodist Church in Gladwin, where she was a member. The service will begin at 11:00, with visitation one hour prior.
Those wishing an expression of sympathy are asked to consider in lieu of flowers a donation to Our Daily Bread Ministries or the Gladwin New Beginnings Global Methodist Church.
