Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at St. John Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Redwood Valley Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.  Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Leon was born April 1, 1941 on a farm near Morgan, Minnesota, to Hugo and Elsie (née Otto) Otto.  He was baptized at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church of Morgan.  When he was six years old his family moved to Wabasso; where he was confirmed at St. Matthew Lutheran Church and graduated from Wabasso High School in 1959.  Following high school he served in the army for two years, spending 15 months as a helicopter mechanic in Korea.  In 1963 he married Maxine (née Wittwer) and farmed near Wabasso for most of his life.  Their marriage was blessed with four children and seven grandchildren.  A gentle and patient man, he led with his actions rather than his words.  He was a good steward of everything that he was given.  His example of giving tirelessly of his time, talents and treasure, because of his love for the Lord was a legacy that has been passed down to his children.  His commitment to excellence in farming and his love of an occupation that worked so closely with God’s creation was inspirational.  He was quick to reach out to a new face and make a new friend.  He may be best remembered by his friends and family for his one-liners.  He loved to joke around and he loved to try to lighten a situation or elicit a laugh with his quick wit.  Leon enjoyed metal and woodworking, fixing virtually anything and brainstorming “what a guy could do…” He loved to collaborate and draw on his wealth of experience to find the best solution to a problem or the best approach to a project.  The staff at St John Lutheran Church and School relied on him when repairs or hands on projects needed to be done.   He also enjoyed flying and at one time owned and flew his own small aircraft.  Most important to him was his family.  He provided a loving Christian home and a variety of unique experiences for his children as they were growing up.  He loved to be silly with his grandkids who have fond memories of him teaching them to wiggle their ears!

Leon is survived by his wife Maxine; children: Lance (Laurel) Otto,  Neil Otto,  Dawn (JT) Kohl, and Wendy (Jared) Tromp; grandchildren: Brandon (fiancée Ashley) Otto, Kelsey (Steven) Kopelke, Talia Otto, Race Kohl, Tanis Kohl, Teddy Kohl, and Macie Tromp; and sister-in-law Dorothy Otto.  He is preceded in death by his siblings Norman Otto, LuVerne Duescher, Eunice Martensen and Lois Zimmermann.  We are grateful to the staff at the Wabasso Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center for the kind and caring attention they gave him throughout the last months of his life.