(715) 243-5252 |
Anna Christine Otto passed away May 14, 2026, at the age of 92 at home surrounded by her family.
Anna was born at home in Hammond WI on March 27, 1934, the fifth of ten children to Herman and Mary (TerBeest) Beestman. Raised in a farming family, Ann attended country school starting at Willow Hill and Three Willows, graduating 8th grade at Tydlen. After graduation Ann lived at home and helped take care of her younger siblings.
While working at Archie’s restaurant as a waitress she met the man she would fall in love with and marry, Francis Otto. On May 12, 1956, Anna and Francis were married at Immaculate Conception Church in New Richmond. To this union 7 children were born, Patricia, Michael, Virginia, James, Mary, Joan, and Mark. Raising their children in the house on the corner of E 3rd Street and Star Avenue in New Richmond. Anna and Francis Divorced in 1967. As a stay-at-home Mom, she raised her children in a loving and prayerful home. Not always having everything a person needed to raise seven children, she made do with what she had and was thankful for the assistance of her large support base of family and friends. Spreading kindness and helpfulness to others her family would meet.
Anna’s Faith in God was the corner stone of her life. Prayer and Mass were a necessity in her life and were what she always did no matter what the obstacle before her. Trusting in the unknown and believing that God would lead her to the answers through prayer. Anna’s faith was observed by her children and grandchildren as she was asked to pray for them whether it was a test at school, someone was sick, or another need, she just had a way of connecting with our Savior.
Anna returned to school in the early 70’s, receiving her GED from WITC, and reentered the work force in 1979. She worked at Sons Tool and Die in Woodville, WI. After an injury to her hand, she went back to school and in 1984 received a nursing assistance degree. Anna worked at Maple Manor until she retired. After retiring, Anna lived with her children, allowing her to watch grandkids on the weekends and during summer vacations. As she would say, “it keeps you young” and “they are the greatest blessing extolled on me.” Despite all the diversity and shortcomings of a single parent of seven children, Anna chose a life of forgiveness and gratitude. She kept giving, being happy with what she had.
Anna was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Mary Beestman; son, Michael Otto; grandson, John Douglas Otto; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jerry (Donna) Beestman, William (Grace) Beestman, Lester (Hellen) Beestman, Glen (Ellen) Beestman; brother-in-law, Roy Hilstead; and many nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends.
Her legacy lives on through her children, Patricia Otto of New Richmond, WI, Virginia (Brian) Lundin of Delano MN, James (Natalie) Otto of Balsam Lake, WI, Mary Otto of New Richmond, WI, Joan (Theodore) Sempf of Sun Prairie, WI, and Mark (Kim) Otto of Balsam Lake, WI; daughter-in-law, Lita Otto of Minneapolis MN; grandchildren, Jeffery (Jayce) Otto, Anthony (Sara) Chase, Ben (Amber) Lundin, Andy (Samantha) Lundin, Brandi (Nick) Johnson, William (Kate) Otto, Charles (Nicole) Otto, Emily (Cameron) Runquist, Jessica (Marcus) Richter, Cory (Megan) Sempf, Jackie (Gary Nelson) Hudson, David (Kelly) Hudson, Emily ( Mike Burns); 34 great-grandchildren and 1 on the way; sisters, Ruth Hilstead of Amery, WI, Joyce (Pat) Pollack of Madison, WI, Marge (Larry) Calvert of Guthrie, OK; brothers, Cliff (Kathy) Beestman of Mosinee, WI, George (Donna) Beestman of Madison, WI; and many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
We give thanks for her life and for all she left with us, and for the friends and neighbors she met along the way.
Mass of Christian Burial was Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 11 am at Immaculate Conception Church 151 S. Washington Ave New Richmond, WI. Visitation was Tuesday, May 26, 2026, from 4-8 pm at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services 728 S Knowles Avenue New Richmond, WI and on Wednesday from 10-11 am at the church. Interment was in Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
Click here to watch the recording of Anna’s service
18 Comments
“Grandma Anna” was the matriarch of one of the finest families I’ve ever been fortunate to know and be associated with. Always kind, always caring, always willing to help. It’s a true blessing of the highest order to have known her and her family. No matter how old they are, the truly good people always pass too soon.
Sweet dreams Anna!
Your in my thoughts and prayers.
My mom was the greatest Mom ever in the world she will truly be missed by me and her faith will always be part of my memories of her she was a wonderful person she sacrificed a lot for her kids may she rest in peace and be with her dad and her mom her grandson and her son Mike and all her brothers that have gone before he
The heart is a wondrous thing
For no matter how full of love it is, there’s always room for more
The heart is a wondrous thing
For no matter how full of love it is, when someone we love is taken from us, it can feel completely empty
The heart is a wondrous thing
For no matter how empty it feels, love still abides and helps us with our loss
The heart is a wondrous thing
For no matter how much it refills with love, there’s still a part that remains empty and can only be filled by the one we miss
I will miss you mom! As a mother she always put her children and their needs above her own. I admired her unwavering faith in God and the hope we would all believe in Jesus and his promise of everlasting life. She never had a bad thing to say about anyone, one lesson she repeated was if you didn’t have something good to say about someone don’t say anything at all. She had a way to let us believe we were all special. She fought the odds her entire life but always showed up for her kids, grandkids and great grandkids. I admired her strength in standing up for each of us when it was needed. Mom knew who she was and did not put on airs. She always said she wasn’t a fancy grandma but a grandma that would show up and be there with a hug. I pray you have found peace and happiness, reunited with those who have gone before you. Love and miss you-Joan
Such a beautiful, very hardworking and loving lady. I am so sorry for your loss, rest in peace sweet lady!🙏🙏🙏
To my mom a very hard act follow you could find good in anyone always had a kind. Heart. Never said a bad word about anyone I know of you were only one person decided among. 7 kids numerous pets and extra neighbor kids you were a good example of what a mom could be and achieve everyone knew if you prayed for us God reacted faster we will miss your special ways I so glad I had you for a mom rest in peace till I see you again enjoy your long thoughtful peace and quite
Otto Family, I’m very sorry for your loss. What an incredible woman as captured in her beautiful obituary. What a fascinating life. Wishing you peace during this sorrowful time.
You are in my thought and prayers
My deepest condolences to Mary and the Otto family.
Mary, we are so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Wishing you peace during this time.
Joan and family-I am so very sorry for your loss. It sounds like your mom had an amazing connection with God and stayed true to who she was a person. I am so truly sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Mom was a great lady. She see!med to alwaysBelievedwe would always Achieve what we believe in. Always putting someone’s else’s needs before hers. She taught her children life’s lessons with out us knowing. ,the importance of fam!ly,commitment, home to be a good spouse threw love and devotion to each other. She lived for her kids and was proud of all of us. Our extended family included so many of our friends and height on the corner of third and star. A thank you to all the people who were there for her and my brothers and sisters. Words can not express what you meant to her.you always give back more than you take, and she did just tnat .Thanks Mom Don’t forget to say a little prayer each morning and thank God each night for another blessing each night
My great grandma was the best one I got she gave my sister and I lots of cookies when we came over and spent the night. Every time I saw her I get so excited and she also got excited even if we barely saw for her coming to almost all my birthdays and I payed her back by going to almost all of hers and when ever I could. Just because she had diabetes she still ate ice cream and cakes whenever she wanted. I will always love her forever and ever.
My grandma was truly an amazing woman. Full of faith, love, forgivness and compassionate. I will miss her smile, hugs, and the twinkle in her eyes when any of the grandkids walked into the house to see her.
I will never forget my greatest great grandma. I only wish I got more time with her, but I am more than thankful for the time I was granted. Great grandma would babysit me and my sister IsaBelle. My favorite memory of great grandma is when she was babysitting me, I told her that mama let me drink coffee once in a while (I was very little, no I wasn’t allowed to drink coffee). Anyways, I grabbed a cup and filled it with cold coffee from earlier that morning. I grabbed grandma’s sugar jar, at least I thought, and I spooned a CRAZY amount of sugar into my cup. As I was mixing it great grandma said, “Are you sure you’re allowed to drink that stuff?” I said “Yesss grandma, I promise.” I took a fat sip of my coffee, and I spat it out immediately. I put salt in the coffee instead of sugar. Great grandma knee the whole time. I never lied to grandma again. ever. Goodness I love my greatest great grandma. 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗
Joan, Sounds like your mom was everything to everyone tough act to follow may you& your family have peace& love to carry thru tough times your mother will always watch over you
Joan, Sounds like your mom was everything to everyone tough act to follow may you& your family have peace& love to carry thru tough times your mother will always watch over you
Add Comment