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Inge Ott

inge ott

November 21, 1937 ~ September 10, 2021

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Inge A. Ott age 83 of New Hampton, IA, died Friday evening, September 10, 2021, at her home. A family graveside service will be held at the New Hampton City Cemetery. Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Inge A. Ott was born November 21, 1937, in Pforzheim, Germany, the daughter of Richard and Lydia (Dettinger) Walther. She grew up in Pforzheim, a city in southwestern Germany that is known as the “Gateway to the Black Forest.” The resiliency and strength Inge showed throughout her life was instilled in her at an early age, and she grew up in a loving family that included three brothers and one sister. After completing her education, she went to work in a jewelry factory repairing watches. In the late 1950s, she spent a day at a public swimming pool, where she met an American Airman who was on leave while stationed in Germany. It was a meeting that would change her life, for she began dating Jerome Ott. They fell in love and were married on Aug. 29, 1959, in Germany. Jerome was from Little Turkey, and when he received his discharge, the couple moved to Iowa and Inge and her growing family made their home in New Hampton. The Ott’s six children — Raynold, Patricia, Susan, Martin, Karen and Christina — had a mother who taught them to be strong, yet giving, people. Inge worked for several years at what was then St. Joseph’s Hospital in New Hampton, but shortly after Sara Lee opened its plant in New Hampton, she went to work for the bakery on its production line and remained there until the plant closed in 2000. But family — both her Iowa and Germany ones — were always the most important part of Inge’s life. She was an excellent sewer who made clothes for her children, she was exceptionally crafty and made a variety of gifts for family members throughout her years and she loved to quilt. She liked to attend card parties and family reunions and made numerous trips to Germany throughout the years and always looked forward to her German relatives visiting her in Iowa. The Ott family always had a big garden, and they fondly recall that their mother loved to share her favorite German meals on holidays. It was important to Inge that her children be connected with her family back in Germany, and her six children wrote at least one letter a month to their oma and opa in Europe. They also have many wonderful memories of the trip they took as a family in 1976 to see their mother’s native country. As much as she loved her children, she absolutely adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the love she felt for them was reciprocated many times over. Inge lived a unique life. Born near the beginning of the outbreak of World War II, she moved to a new country in her 20s, and she built a wonderful life in America while never forgetting her family and roots across the ocean. Long distance telephone service in her younger days was a godsend, and later in life, she talked with her sister on an almost daily basis. She was the healthiest person one would ever meet, and a baby aspirin was all she needed if she ever had an ache or a pain. Those who knew and loved her will miss her deeply, but the legacy of being strong and caring will remain with them for the rest of their days. Survivors include her six children, Raynold Ott of Fredericksburg, IA, Patricia Ott, Susan (Dennis) Richter all of New Hampton, Martin Ott of Richland Hills, TX, Karen Ott of Oelwein, IA, Christina (Hans) Cordes of Moncks Corner, SC; seven grandchildren, Catie Ott, R.J. Ott, Christopher Lange, Serina Hovden, Nicolas Ott, Daniella Ott, Roxane Kaske; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Gerhard (Roswitha) Walther of Germany; one sister, Renate Frobel of Germany. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jerome on October 5, 2006; grandson, James Cordes; great-grandson, Otto Kaske IV; two brothers, Dieter Walther and Richard Walther.

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  8. So sorry for your family’s loss, she was so much fun to work with and our road trips with her and you dad🙏🙏🙏

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  18. So sorry!! I loved to hear her talk, loved her accent!! I remember her bringing Chet and Tootie Finnegan some candy with booze in it from a trip she went on, so we had to try it 😉

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  44. I am sorry for the loss of your mom. Prays your way to u and your family. I loved when she came into talk after she got her few items at Kwik Star

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  59. Loved her personality! Always a kind word spoken… enjoyed hearing all about Germany and her heritage. Keeping the family in my thoughts and prayers.

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  60. I am so sorry to hear this sad news. Inge and I walked to work for years together when working at Sara Lee. I loved her stories and her friendship. Find peace she is with your dad. Big hugs to your family. You all did a great job taking great care of her. You are all blessed!💕

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  61. Considered Inge a good friend. Enjoyed visiting with her and her feisty personality. She will be missed. My sympathy to her family.

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  84. Sympathies to the Ott family. I lived next door to them when I taught in New Hampton. We kept in touch through annual Christmas letters for years.

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  85. I lived next door to the Ott family when I taught in New Hampton. I always enjoyed visiting with Inga. We corresponded for years at Christmas time. Her new home was near my in-laws, and I stopped once to see her there. Carol Lang Burke

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  86. Inge always stopped to visit at the farmers market. Loved her smile and sunny disposition. I miss seeing her. Hugs and prayers for the family. A sweet lady has gone to Heaven.

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  88. Condolences to the Ott family. Inge was one of my favorite “library ladies.” We had many good conversations. She was such an interesting conversationalist and very kind.

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  96. I considered Inge to be a good friend. Her feisty personality was something I found quite interesting even if sometimes quite challenging to deal with. I will miss seeing her around the community. Rest in peace dear lady. My sympathy to all the loved ones who are mourning her passing

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  97. Susan and Chris – I am so sorry to read of your mom’s passing. What an adventure-filled life she had! I hope your memories bring you comfort during the days ahead and please accept my deepest sympathy.

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  109. Inge will be missed dearly. I remember the day she came to the states as our family picked her up from the airport. I talked to for the whole ride home and she didn’t understand a word I said but was very understanding to a little boy. I also know that she was one of the few that could make the ” Ott” boys toe the line. She was a strong woman who I will truly miss.

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  111. Our prayers and condolences to the Ott family on behalf of the congregation and Marian and myself. Inga was always a good visit and a faithful member of our church. God give you all peace and comfort in your time of loss.

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  112. Inga was so sweet when we would see her at church. Our prayers and sympathy are with your family. Jane and Chuck Schultz

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  113. I remember her as a customer at Fareway, she was such a sweet and loving person and alway fun to be around, always such a bright personality too 🙂 Will greatly miss her coming into the store. You are all in my thoughts. Matthew Willadsen

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