Daniel David Otto

Rev. Daniel Otto was born on February 24, 1936 in Galva, Iowa, the first-born child to Rev. Arthur Otto and Edna (nee Golnitz). A couple of weeks later Dan was received into God’s family through Holy Baptism at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Galva.

Dan’s early childhood revolved around life in the church parsonages with family, friends, church, and the communities where his father served as parish pastor. He attended both public and parochial elementary schools until he enrolled as a high school freshman in Concordia High School at Seward, Nebraska in 1950. He transferred in 1953 to Concordia High School in St. Paul, Minnesota from which he graduated in 1954, and entered that same fall as a freshman in the pre-ministerial curriculum of Concordia College, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Rev. Otto graduated from Concordia College, St. Paul, Minnesota in 1956 after which he enrolled in Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri for his pastoral training. Before beginning his seminary vicarage training in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Dan married his college sweetheart, Audrey (nee Gehl), on August 9.1959. Two years later on May 31, 1961, he graduated from the seminary with a Master of Divinity degree, and was ordained into the pastoral ministry of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod on July 16, 1961.

Following his ordination, Rev. Otto served as a parish pastor for 41 years to congregations in New Orleans, LA (1961-1968), Gary, IN (1968-1975), Niagara Falls, NY (1975-1983), and Nashville, TN (1983-2002). During this time he served as Circuit Counselor and as a member of numerous boards and task forces of 4 LCMS districts, including the office of First Vice President of both the Eastern and Mid-South Districts and a member of their respective Board of Directors. Pastor Otto retired in the Fall of 2002 to reside with his wife, Audrey, in their Nashville home.

Rev. Otto enjoyed a variety of interests throughout his lifetime. He received Honorable Mention in 2 high school sports, played golf, and was an avid HO railroad fan and modeler. He especially loved music, and was an accomplished pianist and organist, serving as the accompanist in worship in his early parishes. He also sang in the high school Men’s Glee Club, the college tour choir, the Lutheran Hour and Concordia Seminary Tour Chorus, the St. Louis Bach Chorus, and in the college quartet called “The Collegiates”. In his retirement years, he became a part-time speaker for Food for the Poor, Inc., an interdenominational Christian charity devoted to serving the poorest of the poor in the Caribbean and Latin American countries.

Rev. Otto was called to his eternal rest on Sunday, October, 15, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Audrey and sister Mary Mennicke. He is survived by children, son David Otto and wife Debbie Tomco of Cape Coral, FL ; daughter Naomi Manderschied of Murfreesboro, TN; daughter Michelle and husband Randy Scheffel of Downers Grove, IL. Also grandchildren Jacob and Abigail Otto (David) of Hermitage, TN; Sarah and husband Tony Maccarone of Murfreesboro, TN, Adam and Oscarina Carella of Denver, CO, Olivia Manderschied of Murfreesboro, TN (Naomi); and Zachary Scheffel of Madison, WI and Thomas Scheffel of Downers Grove, IL (Michelle). Also great grandson Silas Maccarone (Sarah). In addition, he is survived by brothers Luther and his wife Nancy of Hot Springs Village, AR; Arthur and his wife Linda of Meadow Vista, CA; Sisters Eunice Atwell of Hillsboro, MO; Rachel and her husband Phil Markham of Anderson, CA; and Esther Otto of Ballwin, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His Celebration of Life service is on Nov 4, 2023 at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior to the service at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 5110 Franklin Rd Nashville,TN 37211

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Woodlawn-Roesch-PattonFH.com for the Otto family.