Marilyn Fay [Hickert] Otter passed from this earth at the age of 87 on May 13, 2024 at home in New Almelo, KS.
One of twins, she was born on the farm in Decatur County on April 29, 1937 to Albert and Amanda [Gillece] Hickert. She was a farm kid and grew up on the Hickert family farm about 5 miles from where she would later raise a family with Marion Otter. She attended grade-school in New Almelo where she met Marion. She graduated from Jennings High School.
Marilyn was joined in Holy Matrimony with Marion on November 28, 1957 in New Almelo, KS. To this marriage were born Frank, Greg, Steve, Doug and Emily [Otter] Kessler. She and Marion raised their children on the family farm north of New Almelo. She spent a good amount of time chasing after livestock, repair parts and wayward children. She raised chickens, took meals to the fields, and did all the other things that come along with being a farm wife. She ran messages from the house to Marion’s welding shop and maintained a couple acres of yard at the Otter farm as well as working a large vegetable garden and yard at her father’s. She travelled with Marion to Rural Telephone Co conventions and enjoyed sightseeing while he attended meetings. She rode with him on dozer delivery trips to 15 different states. On each trip she completed a quilt block and later compiled them into a quilt. She was an active member of the St Joseph parish community in New Almelo. For several years, Marilyn and Marion were stewards of the St Joseph Cemetery helping with upkeep, plot assignments and arrangements. She was a member of St Ann’s Altar Society and one of the Parish quilting circles. She continued to learn to quilt and practiced her art right up to the end. Over the years, she worked on and/or completed a multitude of quilts. Some were for family. Many baby quilts were donated. The rest were auctioned in benefit of the New Almelo St Joseph parish.
In 1986, Marilyn and Marion moved from the family farm to New Almelo. She could regularly be seen doing yard work, pulling weeds, and mowing on her Grasshopper. She took great pride in her yard and plots of Iris.
Marilyn is survived by siblings Wilma Farrell, Donna Roth and Don Hickert and children Frank [Levonne], Greg [Tammy], Steve, and Emily [Gary] Kessler, nine grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Albert & Amanda Hickert, siblings Cecilia [Kotschwar], Hilaria [Huff], Iolene [Levendofsky], Jim, Robert, William, Bertilla [Conroy], and Carolyn as well as her husband Marion Otter and son Douglas Otter.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at the St Joseph Catholic Church in New Almelo on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 10:00 am. Inurnment following in the St. Joseph Cemetery, New Almelo. Visitation 5:00-7:00 pm in the New Almelo Gymnasium on Friday, June 14 with Rosary of our Lord following at 7:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Church and sent in care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at www.plumergobber.com