Lysbeth M. Otten Obituary
Otten, Lysbeth Marie (formerly Rosenkranz). Our mother, Lysbeth Otten, entered heaven on March 9th, 2023. We know she was joyfully welcomed by Jesus and those who pre-deceased her: Mom's parents Fred and Rose Rosenkranz, Mom's sister Christine Lindquist, Mom's husband William H. Otten, her son Mark F. Otten, and her infant grandson David M. Kolb. Mom is survived by her brother Paul Rosenkranz as well as her children and their spouses: Christine (Scott) Dawley, Linda (Timothy) Kolb, Janet (the late Mark F.) Otten, and Elizabeth (David) Hitz. Mom's grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law were a source of constant joy: Erica & Josh, Lauren & Dave, Caroline & Kyle, Bob & Claire, Stephanie, Patrick, Emily, William, Alex, Kristin, Jason & Erika, and Maxwell. Mom was also a great-grandmother to Kaylie, Brody, David Jr., Eli and Mya. In addition, Mom is survived by nieces, nephews, lifelong friends and former colleagues.
Mom graduated from Mother of Good Counsel Grade School, Pius High School, and UW-Milwaukee, where she earned bachelor's and master's degrees in speech pathology and audiology. Mom and Dad married in 1961and Christine, Linda, Mark and Beth followed soon after. Mom was a superwoman who earned her master's degree while juggling the needs of work, four kids, one husband, and elderly parents. Working in the Wauwatosa and West Allis school districts with students in the elementary grades was the highlight of mom's career. She retired in 2000, and she and Dad traveled to favorite domestic destinations such as Door County, Florida, and northern Wisconsin, and they also enjoyed more extensive trips to Europe. Mom showed us how to survive great difficulties in grieving the losses of her infant grandson, her husband, and her son, all who died too young.
Mom was the consummate educator, never missing a teaching opportunity with her students, her children, and later her grandchildren. She loved education, especially reading, and she always enjoyed sharing with others what she had learned. Even into retirement, Mom was the epitome of a life-long learner.
In the last few weeks before she passed, mom was given a gift: she got glimpse of heaven, which she described as a beautiful, bright place where she felt content and peaceful. We look forward to a great family reunion someday.
Special gratitude to the staff at St. Camillus who compassionately cared for Mom the past five years, as well as the staff at Froedtert Hospital 4NE, who provided a peaceful end so Mom could be joyfully ushered into heaven where her husband and son were waiting for her.
The Celebration of Life for Lysbeth Otten will occur on Saturday, March 18th, 2023 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 1500 N. Wauwatosa Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI. The visitation will start at 10 am, followed by the funeral Mass starting at 11:30 am, with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee, WI. Please consider honoring Mom's memory by wearing a touch of blue, which was Mom's favorite color.
Instead of flowers, please consider a gift in celebration of our mom's love of learning to the Wauwatosa Public Library Foundation (https://tosalibraryfoundation.org) or the UW-Milwaukee Alumni Association (http://www.alumni.uwm.edu) Grant Lysbeth eternal rest, Oh Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon her, forever and ever.
