Ardith George Otteson, 86 years, 3 months, and 21 days old, passed to heaven on February 26, 2011 at St. John's Regional Health Center.

Ardith was born November 5, 1924 in the San Luis Valley of southeast Colorado, one of three children to George and Mamie (Hostetler) Otteson.

Art served his country after WW II and while stationed in Germany he met an interesting German girl named Magdalena, whom he married on April 14th 1953. They moved to the U.S. and lived in Colorado, Kentucky, and Missouri until moving to the farm on Cassie Ridge above Prairie Hollow in 1971 and remaining there till his passing.

Art enjoyed hunting and fishing in the colorado Rockies taking his sons fishing for Brook Trout in the mountain streams but finally work became more important as it was necessary to provide for the family. He worked for Ken Ballew for many years at the hatchery running the dozer and doing mechanic work during the days and working on the farm in the morning and evenings. He and Art junior daried together until just before his passing.

Art was preceded by his parents and his brother Howard, he is survived by his wife Magdalena, his son Elmer and his wife Judy of Reno, NV., and son Art Jr. of Mansfield, and a granddaughter Kayla Otteson of Columbia Mo. Art is also survived by a sister, Arlene Reed of Sanford, Co.



Memorial services for Art Sr. will be Wednesday March 2, at 2:00 P.M. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel Ava with burial in the Ava Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M. in the funeral home. Officiating will be Pastor Ronnie Roy. Memorials may be made to American Lung Association.