Carl Otto Obituary

Carl "Steve" Stephens Otto, 82, passed away Friday, October 13, 2023, at home, surrounded by family.

Steve was born June 16, 1941, in St. Louis. On June 3, 1967, he was united in marriage to Mary Rauch. At 19 years of age, he began working at Missouri Meerschaum. He graduated from Washington University and continued working with his father, running the company, until it was sold. They started Missouri Pipe and Smokers Articles Inc. and ran this company together until 1992. He served on the Board of Trustees at Stephens College for six years. Steve was a member of the Missouri Air National Guard, Lions Club, Elks Lodge, Washington Boat Club, and St. Francis Borgia Parish.

He took three trips from Washington to New Orleans by river and had a true love for the Missouri River and his time on it. He loved working on his different boats over the years, enjoying shooting trips with his friends, and scuba diving with his daughter and granddaughter, Josie.

Steve enjoyed trips to Europe for business and pleasure. He had a love for studying World War I history and artifacts, sharing interesting stories with everyone, and meeting new people. He never met a stranger and, at no time, met a dog that he did not like.

Among his survivors are his wife, Mary Otto; daughter, LuLu Mesa and husband David, and their two children, Josephine and Jacob; son, Steve Otto and wife Leah, and their three children, Kadin, Kaya, and Kallie; cousin, Harriet Weindorf and husband Jon; two dogs; along with other relatives and many friends near and far.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Louisa Otto; mother and father-in-law, Frank and Josephine Rauch; three brothers-in-law, Charles Hidritch, Frank Rauch, Herb Dill; and sister-in-law, JoAnn Rauch.

Visitation was held Thursday, Oct. 19, from 4-7 p.m. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, Washington.

A prayer service was held at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at the St. Francis Borgia Church, Washington.

Memorial donations can be made to the Franklin County Humane Society or Mercy Hospice.

Arrangements were in care of Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, Washington.