Gail Otten

Glenda Otten (you probably knew her as “Gail”) entered eternal life on Saturday, June 21, 2014 while at home with her family by her side. Gail was born on November 28, 1948 in Ventura, California. Her memory is carried on by her husband, two sons and daughters-in-law, five grandchildren, four surviving siblings in Ventura County, and extended family and friends who adored her dearly.

We were blessed to have Gail in our lives and to learn many valuable lessons from her during her 65 years, among them: You can never have too many Louis Vuitton hand bags. Gold and diamonds are truly our friends. Dachshunds are actually people. There is no such thing as a stranger. Love is unconditional.

In her lifetime, Gail never met a stranger. She worked as a manicurist for over 23 years; mostly as a way to get your undivided attention to brag about her kids and grandkids. In many ways her business was her ministry. It was not about anything other than making a new friend, helping those in need and putting a smile on your face.

Above all, Gail was an amazing wife and mother. She put family ahead of her own needs. She was a stay-at-home mom in the earlier years raising her two amazing children (Yes, we’re writing this). There was never a time she would not slip a $20 spot in your pocket (or the $20 spot from dad’s pocket to our pocket). Thanks Mom.

She is survived by her high school sweetheart and husband of nearly 46 years, Carl, her children and grandchildren whose photos she would share with everyone who was fortunate to sit on the opposite side of her manicure table: Doug (wife Ranae, children Ava and Nicholas); Steve (wife Alice, children Kyle, Kelsey, and Logan); siblings Harold White (wife Diane); Ann Kilpatrick (husband Rev. Virgil); Catherine Mims-Keyser (husband Frank); Carol McCarty (husband Bill); and many nieces and nephews whom she loved unconditionally: Todd and Shannon White, Jeff and Dana White, Alison Cunningham, Ann Griffin, Daniel and Mary Wade, Sheryl and Tommy Chavira, Christine Wade, Kimberly and Mike Malone, Kathleen De La Huerta, Brian and Gina McCarty, Suzanne and Kurt Dykstra; great nieces and nephews: Austin, Avery, Walker, Boden, Jonathan, DJ, Chad, Tommy John, Sheridan, Spencer, Alexis, Ty, Tessa, Nicolette, Matthew, Hayden, Garrett, Hannah; not to mention her lovely Aunt Flora (husband Uncle Glen); and Uncle Chester (wife Aunt Phyllis). If you know our family, you’d know that if we were to list the names of everyone who loved and was loved by Gail – the list would run into next week’s paper. But, we’d also like to give a big shout out to her many cousins who she always remained close to.

Gail is now home with our Lord, and celebrating with her mom and dad, nephews Rod and Keith, and loved ones.

Please join us as we celebrate and pay tribute to Gail’s life. A memorial service and reception will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2014, at 2PM at Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura (500 High Point Dr., 93003).

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rodney A. McCarty Scholarship Foundation (1608 East 5th Street, Oxnard, Ca. 93030).

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura.