Arland "Swede" Otte

Compassionate educator, land steward and the guy everyone wanted to sit by at family gatherings... Arland Wayne Otte, died of cancer on September, 21, 2018. (his mom called him "Arland" we all knew him as "Swede" and later, "Bopie.")
On October 11th, 1937, Swede was born, in Northfield, MN. Swede grew up on the family farm near Randolph, MN immersed in family farming. His baby book says his first words were, "Daddy's tractor ain't it?" But like so many of his generation he eventually left the farm for the lights of the city.
Northfield is where he first saw Myrna and her girlfriend walking down Second Street on a December day in 1958. Never shy, he struck up a conversation with the pretty young lumberman's daughter - a conversation that lasted almost 60 years. The young couple harnessed their energy into an amazing career and devoted family. That kid off the farm, graduated from St. Olaf College. He went on to teach and eventually became a High School Principal. After finishing up his Master's Degree, Swede was awarded a Fellowship in the US Department of Education and served a year in Washington D.C. as an Assistant to the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. Then on to earn his PhD in Educational Administration, and 1968 became the first Dean of Instruction at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Mn. He served it's faculty and students faithfully for 28 years.
Swede retired at 59 and returned to his first love, farming. He and Myrna built their retirement home near Whitewater Park and Swede, "the professor," took to farming like a turkey to a cornfield. A devout "ridge-tiller," he was awarded Winona County's Conservation Farmer of the Year in 2002.
5 children, Michael (Joan) Otte, Sheldon (Jane) Otte, Rachel (Michael) Schaepkens, Maria Elena Lamar and Alison (Nick) Jewell will miss his generosity of self and easy laughter.
13 Grandchildren, Josh (Robin), Ted (Talia), Jake, Dylan, Carlos, Michaela, Kelly, Alexander, Olivia, Nolan, Eli, Ray and Leighton will miss his kind acceptance and ginger snaps. One great-grandchild Farrah, and any others to come will only know our stories of him.
His dad Karl, and mom Irene, passed before. Roxy McElhorne, Bev (Lee) Topp, Walt (Pat) Otte and Mary Ann Lammers will miss their big brother. And Myrna, his wife of 59 years, must say farewell to her beloved husband, friend and travel partner for a lifetime.
His service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles, Minnesota Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 11:30am, with visitation an hour and a half before (10:00-11:30.) Memorials are preferred to historic Trondhjem Church in Lonsdale, MN or to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.