JOHN HERMAN OTTO of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Kathleen Bouck-Otto, passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2009, at the age of 87 years.

John was born on July 20, 1921, in Lethbridge, the youngest child of Thomas Garfield and Cora May Otto. John grew up on the family farm east of Warner. He attended school at the Powell School east of Warner and also Lethbridge Central and Lethbridge Collegiate Institute.

John married Ruth Hall, his first love, on October 19, 1940 in Taber. They farmed together on the family farm for 35 years and moved to Lethbridge in 1975. They enjoyed camping and fishing in their retirement years and the yard was their pride and joy.

On November 27, 2004 John married Kathleen Bouck and enjoyed her loving companionship for the last five years of his life.

Besides his wife, Kathleen, John is survived by his three children, Brian (Carolyn) Otto of Warner, Sharol Otto-Siewert of Lethbridge, and Tom (Sue) Otto of Missoula, Montana. He is survived by seven grandchildren, Simon (Brenda) Otto, Catriona Otto, Andrew (Shauna) Otto, John (Aileen) Siewert, Randy Siewert, Sadie Otto (Ross Lowe), and Tyra Otto (Jordan McCoy), and three great grandchildren, Douglas and Lane Siewert and Damion Otto. John was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and he was a very special Grandpa to the grandchildren. John is also survived by Kathleen's four children Larry (Jane) Bouck, Jim (Donna) Bouck, Joan (Albert) Patenaude, Danny (Lucille) Bouck and their families.

John was predeceased by his first wife, Ruth, who passed away on May 26, 2002, his sister, Louise MacDonald and his brother, Tom Otto. He is survived by his sister, Margaret Rowe of Apple Valley, California.

John was a community-minded person and very committed to public service. He served on many councils and boards in his lifetime. He was elected as a County of Warner Councillor in 1958 and served for seventeen years. He was the Reeve of the County Council from 1973 - 1975. He was on the board of the Border Counties Seed Cleaning Plant. When he moved to Lethbridge he was appointed to the Rent Control Board of southern Alberta. After this board was terminated he served two three-year terms on the Lethbridge Community College Board of Governors. He was also on the Board of the Lethbridge Community College Foundation.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 7:00pm and 8:00pm on Monday, July 6, 2009, at the MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4th St., S., Lethbridge, Alberta.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00pm, on Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at the MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4th St., S., Lethbridge, with Pastor Brian Magee officiating. This will be followed by a private burial service at the Warner Cemetery and an open reception at the Warner Elks Hall.

Flowers are gratefully declined, for those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, 960 - 19th St., S., Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 1W5.