Carolyn was born on February 21, 1952, in Waverly, Iowa, the daughter of Lester and Frances Zelle. She was raised in Waverly, attended St. Paul Lutheran School and graduated from Waverly Shell Rock High School in 1970. She continued her education at Iowa State University, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science Degree, majoring in Textiles & Clothing. Following graduation, she started a buyer’s training program at Marshall Fields in Chicago. Through contacts she made there, in 1977 she was hired by Pendleton Woolen Mills and moved to Portland, Oregon. There she met and married Don Otto on October 8, 1989. In 1991, Carolyn pursued a new career path as a producer for Odyssey Productions. She began producing a wide variety of films and videos for corporations, museums, interpretive centers, interactive media programs and PBS. This work offered her the opportunity to travel and explore all kinds of amazing places and meet many interesting people.
Carolyn was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in NE Portland, where she was an engaged and active member. She was also a member of Riverside Golf and Country Club, where she served as President of the Women’s Organization in 2023. She will be remembered as a strong, courageous and compassionate woman, who always had time to share with family and friends.
Carolyn’s memory is honored by: her husband Donald Otto of Portland; a brother Bruce (Candace) Zelle, Naperville, Illinois; a sister, Lorraine (Dan) Whitney, West Des Moines, Iowa; nieces and nephews, Sarah Beckman, Ames, Iowa; Brian (Katie) Zelle, Tucson, Arizona; Lauren Whitney, West Des Moines, Iowa; Daniel (Danielle) Whitney, Waukee, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A celebration of life will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Portland on September 28, 2024 at 10:00 AM. In addition, on October 20, 2024, at 4:00 PM, A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly, Iowa. Her ashes will be laid to rest at her parent’s gravesite in Waverly.
Memorials may be directed to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Portland, the Oregon Humane Society and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly.
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