Red Otterson was born to eternal rest May 9, 2021. He is survived by and was the beloved father of Mary Francis (Andrew Joseph Selep), Gregory Alan (Mary Ann Murphy), and Mary Celine Fox (Timothy Joseph Reynolds); and dearest grandpa to Thomas Alan, Sarah Elizabeth and Daniel Joseph Otterson, Mary Elise and Mary Fiona Selep, Eva Irene and Finn Fabian Fox as well as many other friends and “grandchildren”.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years Mary Eva, his parents Hugh and Barbara and his brother Paul, his grandson Tommy and brothers in life Don and Cal as well as his dear friend Peter Markowski.
At the age of 17 he enlisted in the Navy during WWII serving at Pearl Harbor as a Pharmacist Mate 3rd class from 1944-1946. He was honorably discharged at the end of the war and returned to Los Angeles where he met the love of his life Mary Eva Zignego. They were married in 1947 and spent 10 years in Los Angeles where Mary Francis and Gregory were born. They moved to Wisconsin in 1959 where Red started Major Grading along side Zignego Paving. His third child Mary Celine was born in Wisconsin in 1968.
To know Red was to love Red. He had a special way about him, a soft and kind man with the best smile and a twinkle in his eye. He loved a good martini, parties and friends and family. He saw unending possibilities in his 3 children and absolute perfection in his grandchildren. He was an avid reader and a lover of jazz music. To us he was one of the most brilliant men we knew. He will always be a part of those that knew him.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight in honor of Glenn “Red” Otterson.
Memorial services will be held June 1, 2021 at St. Jerome Catholic Church 995 S. Silver Lake St. Oconomowoc. Visitation will be held at the church from 10am until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am.
