Leon Joseph Otter

Leon Joseph Otter, 61, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Thursday, July 28, 2016, at his home, in Nevada, following a lengthy illness. Leon was born July 9, 1955, in Norton, Kan., to Arthur Thomas and Cecelia Katherine (Moos) Otter. On July 2, 1977, he was united in marriage to Carolyn Gay Keating in Nevada, Mo., and she survives of the home.

Leon was raised in the Norton, Kan., area. He came to Vernon County where he lived in Lamar and later Sheldon for a time. He came to Nevada for his senior year of high school and graduated with the Class of 1973. Following high school he worked in the lumber business with Sonny Lawrence in Deerfield and later worked at the Fram Corporation in Nevada for 22 years. Leon has operated property rentals for the past 20 years. He attended St. Mary's Catholic Church in Nevada and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Leon enjoyed his membership at the YMCA coffee club, and fixing rental properties.

In addition to his wife, Carolyn, he is survived by two sons, J. Kelly Otter and his wife, Margina, Nevada, and Tyler Otter and his wife, Kelly, Nevada; two daughters, Karalee Gerster, Nevada, and Erin Forkner, Nevada; 12 grandchildren, Lakyn, Halley, Trent, Christina, Jerod, Jacob, Kelsie, Kenzie, Emma, Kate, Blair, and Blake; two great-granddaughters, Stratton, and Qwinley; three sisters, Anne Horst and her husband, Dean, Amsterdam, Mo., Delores Otter, Wichita, Kan., and Rose Otter, Nevada; three brothers, James Otter, El Dorado Springs, Mo., Mark Otter and his wife, Donna, Warrensburg, Mo., and Quentin Otter, Sheldon, Mo. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jerry Otter, and an infant brother, Richard.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 30, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, in Nevada, with Father Matthew Benjamin officiating. A rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m., with visitation following from 7 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Nevada.

Donations may be made in his memory to St. Mary's Catholic Church in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.