Richard Otto, 86, Carrington, formerly of Bowdon passed away Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at Golden Acres Manor, Carrington.  Funeral Services will be at 10 am Monday, September 12, 2022 at Bowdon Lutheran Church, Bowdon.  Pastor Shirley Teske will officiate and burial will be in Bethany Cemetery, Robinson, North Dakota.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm Sunday with a prayer service at 7 pm at Nelson Funeral Home, Fessenden, North Dakota.

Richard Otto was born April 23, 1936 on the family farm in Merkle Township, Kidder County, north of Robinson, North Dakota, the son of Christian and Olga (Retzer) Otto and the 12 ^th of 15 children.  He was baptized on December 7, 1939 and confirmed on December 9, 1956. He attended country school and spent most of his time helping on the family farm.  He worked for a time for his brother Rueben in construction in the Bismarck area.

On January 22, 1965, he married Margaret Koenig Otto.  They farmed north of Robinson in Kidder County for five years, before moving the family to Bowdon in 1970.  He worked for the Bowdon Locker Plant and in 1975 began working for the North Dakota State Highway Department-Fessenden Branch until retiring in July of 1998 after 23 years.  He entered Golden Acres Manor on July 2, 2020.

Richard was a "People Person".  He loved to visit with family and friends and anyone who might be there to talk to at any given time or place.  He especially enjoyed talking to young people and was Grandpa to all.

When younger, he enjoyed playing horseshoes, hunting, and fishing.  After Margaret passed away, he took up coloring.  He gave and sent many colored pictures to friends and family.

Richard was an active member of the Bowdon Lutheran Church and was head usher for many years.  He was a charter member and loyal member for 44 years of the Bowdon Lions Club.  He also served on the Bowdon Ambulance for a time.

Richard is survived by his children, Valerie (Steve) Tripp, Pettibone, ND, Sandy (Kevin) Kelly, Bismarck, ND, Duane (Pat) Otto, Beulah, ND, and Carol (Ken) Rocker, LaMoure, ND; son-in-law, Dennis Friesz, Fargo, ND; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, six step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Leona Magnuson, Carrington, ND, and Phyllis Hebert, New Port, WA; sister-in-law, Luella Otto, Mandan, ND; brother-in-law, LeRoy Koenig, Jamestown, ND; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, son Terry, daughters, Faye and Joyce, son-in-law, Ken Ensz, three grandsons, one great-granddaughter, his parents, eight brothers and four sisters.