Otto A. Gutknecht

Obituary

Otto August Gutknecht was born on September 28, 1935, in Bismarck Township, Sibley County, Minnesota. He was the son of Arthur and Hertha (Polzin) Gutknecht. Otto was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth, both at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bismarck Township. He received his education at country school.

On June 1, 1956, Otto was united in marriage to Ann Boehlke at the Methodist Church in Winthrop. This union was blessed with the birth of three sons and two daughters. Otto and Ann began their married life in one of the small houses at the farm site of her parents. In November of 1959, Otto and Ann moved to their present farm house located along Highway 15. Otto and Ann raised their family and Ann continued to help her dad with tax work. Following the tragic death of her dad, Leonard Boehlke, in 1963, Otto and Ann continued the tax business at their farm home. In 1968, Otto started selling seed corn and sold it for many years thereafter.

Otto was a life-long member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bismarck Township and served on the church council and was the chair for 15 years. He was also a member of the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce.

Otto enjoyed fishing, dancing, traveling; but most of all he loved farming. He cherished the time he spent with his children, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Otto passed away on Friday, July 29, 2022,  at the Good Samaritan Society in Arlington at the age of 86 years. Blessed be his memory.

Otto is survived by his:
Sons,                Brian Gutknecht and his wife, Cyndi of Lexington, SC,
                        Bruce Gutknecht and his wife, Michelle of Roseville, MN, and
                        Gary Gutknecht and his wife, Becky of Maquoketa, IA;
Daughters,       Mary Kavan and her husband, Lowell of Lafayette, MN, and
                        Rebecca Berg and her husband, Jerry of Arlington, MN;
Grandchildren, Jordan, Hillary (Patrick), Brian Jr. (Samantha), Zachary (Hannah), Aimee (Zane), Abby, Melodie, Marissa, Alec (Abby), Rachael, Andrew, Timothy, Bridget (Ty), Jenna, Ashley (Tylon), Stacia (Aaron), Jordan (Izzy), Ian (Jenna), Lexie (Craig);
18 Great-grandchildren;
Brothers, Larry Gutknecht and his wife, Sharon of Glencoe, MN;
Sister, Helen Becker and her husband, Ellsworth of Glencoe, MN;
Family Friend, Geraldine Bergs of Winthrop, MN;
Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Otto was preceded in death by his Parents, Arthur and Hertha Gutknecht; Wife, Ann Gutknecht; Grandchildren, Faith and Grace Gutknecht and Christopher Gutknecht; Sister, Clara Becker and her husband, Elmer; Brothers-in-law, Earl Nelson, Robert Boehlke, Steven Boehlke and Gordon Stenzel; Sisters-in-law, Lorinda Boehlke, Audrey Stenzel, Muriel Nelson, and Mary Boehlke.