Otis J. Hansen

Otis J. Hansen, age 89, of Newell, Iowa died on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at Loring Hospital in Sac City, Iowa. 

Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2019 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. A memorial service will be held following the celebration of life starting at 3:30 p.m. all at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Loring Hospital in Sac City, St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, or Buena Vista Historical Society in Storm Lake. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of arrangements. 

James Otis Hansen, the son of James McGilvery and Alice (Liechti) Hansen, was born on July 28, 1930 at their home in Carroll, Iowa. Otis was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist faith. 

Growing up, Otis attended grade school and graduated high school from Nemaha. After high school, he moved to South Dakota to work on a cattle ranch with friends.

Otis enlisted in the United States Army where he served his country during the Korean War. 

Otis was united in marriage to Marlene Goettsch on September 23, 1956 at St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. The couple was blessed with two children, Jayme and James.

Otis was a member of the Newell American Legion and the Card Club in Early. In his free time, he enjoyed working in his garden (where he grew produce and flowers), playing cards, attending coffee club, and taking hunting trips to South Dakota. In his younger years, Otis liked playing softball and basketball. 

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Marlene of Newell; children, Jayme (Rick) Baumgart of Swisher, Iowa and James Hansen of Newell, Iowa; brother, Cliff (Betty) Hansen of Spencer, Iowa; sister, Leanne (Gordon) Reynolds of Early, Iowa; grandchildren: Shane (Jenn), Ryan (Nikki), Brett, and Rochelle (special friend, Cory); step-granddaughters, Schelese and Shelby; great-grandchildren: Cole, Cooper, Jackson, Brooklyn, Bryce, and Brock; step-great-grandchildren, Kendyle and Pressley; brothers-in-law, Basil Backy and Donald Goettsch; many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Otis was preceded in death by his mom and step-father, Alice and Bill Hansen; sister, Lael Backy; sister and brother-in-law, Lorelei and Duane Karstens. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Otis J. Hansen, please visit our floral store.