Barbara Jean Otte

Barbara J. Otte, 86, of Beaumont, CA, passed away November 26, 2024 in Banning,CA. Born in Elkhart, Indiana, on September 19, 1938, to Robert Earl Bridge and Rose Torok Bridge, Barbara graduated from Elkhart High School in 1956 and from Indiana University in 1960, where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.

Barbara taught at Southwestern Junior High School in Battle Creek, Michigan, before moving to California in 1961. She worked at Autonetics for 10 years, the last three in Fort Worth, Texas, and returned to Elkhart for a few months and worked at Miles Laboratories before returning to California in 1972. It was there that she met Wayne Otte, and they were married the following year. Barbara was employed by the Coast Community College District, served as Founding Secretary to the President of Coastline Community College, and as Administrative Assistant to the President of Orange Coast College, retiring in 1997.

Barbara and Wayne moved from Fountain Valley, CA, to Solera, a Del Webb community in Beaumont, CA, in 2005 and were active in the community. Barbara enjoyed playing bridge, working puzzles, working out in the gym, traveling, and watching her beloved Indiana University basketball team on TV or in such places as Puerto Rico, Maui, California, Las Vegas, and Arizona.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Rose Bridge; half sisters Betty Troyer, Beatrice Spreuer, and Mary Lou Witcher; half brother Bill Bridge; and nephew Tom Troyer.

Survivors include her husband, Wayne Otte; nieces Nancy Dempster, Rebecca (Ron) Hufnagel, Cathy Jo Stoltz, Bob Bridge, and Jeff Witcher, as well as Wayne's sister, Yvonne (Don) Petersen; brothers, Darrell Otte and Floyd Otte, and their families.

A visitation for Barbara will be held Thursday, December 19, 2024 from 3pm to 7pm at Weaver Mortuary Chapel, 1177 Beaumont Ave., Beaumont, CA. The following day, December 20, 2024, a Graveside service will be held at 11am at Mt. View Cemetery 1315 Edgar Ave., Beaumont, CA.