Obituary: Joshua Otto

Funeral Services

Funeral services will take place on Monday, June 6, 2016 at 10:30 AM (Mountain).

Parkview Evangelical Free Church
333 Sandra Lane
Rapid City, South Dakota

Interment

1:30 p.m. Monday, June 6
Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, South Dakota

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In memory of

Joshua Otto

of Rapid City, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital as a result of a motorcycle accident at the age of 35

Joshua David Otto was born August 24, 1980, in Rapid City, South Dakota, the son of Bart and Jo (Hamm) Otto. He lived in Rapid City, Arizona, and Colorado while growing up. He was homeschooled for most of his primary and secondary education and then attended Cornerstone Bible Institute in Hot Springs, SD and Southwest Bible College in Phoenix, AZ.

In 2000, he enlisted in the South Dakota National Guard, and attended basic training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, and AIT at Fort Eustis, Virginia. He then worked at High Country Harley Davidson in Frederick, Colorado, for two years. In 2002, his National Guard unit was activated, and Josh deployed to Bosnia. After his tour in Bosnia, he returned to Colorado for a brief time. In 2005, Josh entered flight school at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. After completion of flight school, he returned to Rapid City with the SD National Guard 1085th, which later changed to Charlie Company 189th. He also worked at Camp Rapid as a civilian during the week. In 2007, he, along with his unit, was activated and stationed in Nicaragua. He worked at J3 (joint operations at Camp Rapid). In early 2011, he deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. After his return, he worked at Infinity Diesel in Black Hawk.

Joshua married Starla Bowen on September 15, 2012, whom he had met many years ago while attending college. The couple made their home in Rapid City. They were blessed with their daughter Beverly Jo on February 18, 2016.

Josh loved spending time with family and friends and enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including motorcycling, rock climbing, hiking, camping, bird hunting, and many more. He was a member of the Quinn, SD chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Josh was currently working as an ALSE Technician at the Army Aviation Support Facility with the National Guard in Rapid City.

Survivors include his wife Starla; his daughter Beverly Jo; his parents Bart and Jo Otto of Rapid City; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Dave and Sherel Bowen of Tucson, Arizona; 11 siblings: Bill Otto and his fiance Carol of Nashville, Tennessee, Jessica Otto of Rapid City, Sarah King and her husband Justin of Hermosa, Matt Otto of Gillette, Wyoming, Joseph Otto of Rapid City, Peter Otto of Cody, Wyoming, Medore Otto of Wall, Garrett Otto of Provo, Utah, Catherine Otto of Rapid City, Clayton Otto of Wall, and Josiah Otto of Rapid City; his maternal grandmother, Loy Hamm of Wall; numerous uncles and aunts; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Josh was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Charles and Ruth Otto; his maternal grandfather Glenn Hamm; his aunt Patricia Lynn Bowman; and his cousin Bart Cheney.

Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 6, at the Parkview Evangelical Free Church (333 Sandra Lane) in Rapid City.

Military graveside services were held 1:30 p.m. Monday, at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Josh had a passion for the needs of other veterans and was making donations to Operation Black Hills Cabin in honor of his friend Ben Larson. A memorial is established there in Ben’s name, and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ben Larson Memorial at Operation Black Hills Cabin. www.operationblackhillscabin.org In addition, contributions to support the family can be made to the Joshua D. Otto Memorial Fund via https://www.gofundme.com/27jrpfw.

Open the Memorial Folder

FUNERAL SERVICES
Monday, June 6, 2016 - 10:30 a.m.
Parkview Evangelical Free Church
Rapid City, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Steve Balsley
EULOGY
Jon LeBar
MUSIC
Congregational Hymn
“It Is Well With My Soul”
USHERS
Greggory Holland - Andrew Busse
Philip Lakner - Daniel Powell
PALLBEARERS
Scott Linquist - Patrick Hiles - Ryan Wiley
Matthew Mulder - Jon Noble - Jason Bertolotto
Shad Tenold - Frank Gutierez
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Monday, June 6, 2016 - 1:30 p.m.
Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, South Dakota

Sign the guestbook

Bart & Jo, I am so sorry for your loss, may God keep the family wrapped in his loving arms. ~ Jean Eckerman Chindlund Storm Lake IA (6/9/2016)
Otto family so sorry for your loss..my family sends our love prayers and support for all of you. ~ Valerie funk (klassen) Austin,mb Canada (6/7/2016)
I am still stunned. Josh was a great guy, truly a top man. ~ Benjamin Eicher 1008 Howard Street #135 (6/6/2016)
Dearest Ottos- my prayers are for Gods supernatural comfort in your time of grieving. My heart is with you all. ~ Beth Vigil Brighton, CO (6/6/2016)
My sincerest condolences to Josh's family. It was a joy and privilege knowing him. ~ Curt Smith Edmond OK (6/5/2016)
My deepest condolences on your loss. Praying for his wife and baby, as well as the extended family. ~ Tammy Mattics Olathe, Colorado (6/5/2016)
Bart and Jo (Hamm) Otto. We were shocked to hear and read about your son and such a sorrowful loss. So hard to believe that he has gone home to be with Jesus. Mary Lou and I will not be able to be at the services because we are in the Louisiana area visiting our daughter and her family. But that doesn't mean that we aren't there through our hearts for you. We know that you are so Strong in your Faith that just knowing that makes God's Grace even more Special. We will see you when we return sometime in August. God is So Good. Blessed to have known you and reunited after all these years. Love you and your whole family. Jon and Mary Lou ~ Jon and Mary Lou Trimble Black Hawk South Dakota (6/5/2016)
Bart, Jo & family, We are praying for you. May you feel Jesus loving arms surrounding you. ~ Kent & Phyllis Schlinz Ocala, FL (6/4/2016)
Josh is, by far, my most memorable and favorite flight school student. By the end of the first day we were best friends that shared stories, laughed, and learned together! I am deeply sorry that we lost him so soon, and can only find comfort in knowing that he is waiting for us on the other side. ~ Marshall Dillon Stafford, VA (6/4/2016)
So sorry for your great loss, we love and are praying for you Starla and the Otto family. ~ Kevin & Kelly Rasmussen McNeal, AZ (6/4/2016)
Prayers for all the family as we adore Matt as he has become part of our family and our hearts ache for him and his family. ~ Mitzie Tays-Neugebauer Gillette, WY (6/4/2016)
Bart, Jo, and family...You are in my heart and prayers! ~ Corrina Spears Wynne Virginia Beach, VA (6/4/2016)
Sorry for your loss. ~ Jeff Thompson Black hawk, SD. (6/4/2016)
Thanks for serving ~ A VETERAN (6/4/2016)
Bart, Jo & family, we were so sorry to hear about your loss. Josh was a great guy and I know he will be missed. Our prayers are with all of you! ~ Luke & Rachel Vander Ley New Holland, SD (6/3/2016)
The way I wish to remember Josh is with all his smiles and the gestures that warmed our hearts. Such a kind man with a heart as big as the sky that he flew in. I am going to miss hearing his voice on the radio and his quick wit that came with the voice. ~ David Moore Sturgis, SD (6/3/2016)
A co-worker and friend I will miss dearly ~ Ron Diekman Hill City, SD (6/3/2016)