"Kay and family, She was small & mighty! I remember her being always kind. Sorry for your loss. "
In loving memory of
Myrtle Otis
August 1, 1922 - July 21, 2021
Myrtle Irene (Bunke) Otis, age 98 of Rushford, died peacefully surrounded by family at Mayo Clinic Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse, WI on July 21, 2021. Myrtle was born on August 1, 1922; the daughter of Paul and Ragna (Boe) Bunke. She was united in marriage to Donald Otis on March 19, 1945. From this union, they would be blessed with four wonderful children, Sandy, Kay, Deb, and Bill. Myrtle grew up in the Rushford area, attending schools in Bratsburg, Highland Prairie, and Rushford. She lived on a farm in the Hart area and was an active 4-H member, winning numerous awards and at one point demonstrating bread making at the Minnesota State Fair.
She and her husband farmed in rural Rushford for a number of years and then the family moved to Houston, MN where she resided fifty plus years and retired as a bookkeeper for the Houston Money Creek Coop Creamery. Following retirement, winters were spent in the Texas Rio Grande Valley where the couple made many lifelong friends and enjoyed and participated in the music of the Valley.
Myrtle enjoyed many hobbies including gardening, handwork/crocheting, baking/cooking and canning as well as hunting and fishing. Myrtle was perhaps most famous as an accomplished bluegrass and old-time Scandinavian musician. She loved her mandolin and played it with gusto - the faster the better. Her repertoire of songs was, it seemed, endless. To share her music was sheer delight for her. She was a member of several
bands during her musical career, the last being; Family Four Plus Two, Cedar Valley Bluegrass Band and the "Myrtle Doves". She was a Charter Member of the Southeastern Minnesota Blue Grass Association and remained an active participant.
Myrtle will always be remembered as a courageous, gritty woman, small in stature and yet bigger than life. She built character daily as she role modeled love, acceptance, perseverance and resilience. It is with gratitude that she shared her life journey with all that knew her. She was a member of the Highland Prairie Lutheran Church, a past member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Houston, MN and a Charter Member of St.
Mark's Lutheran Church, Rushford, MN.
Myrtle will forever remain in the hearts of her children, Sandra (Kermit) Bensen, Kay (Larry) Dahl, Debra (Peter) Gilbertson and Billy (Lori) Otis.
Grandchildren: Mark Runningen, Eric (Kimberly) Runningen, Karl (Alison) Runningen, Sara (Travis) Peters, David Dahle, Brian Dahle (Jessica Powell), Nicholas (Cristal) Gilbertson, Tera (Eric) Rogers, Emma (Matt) Czechowicz, Anna (Josh) Thoma, Christine (Casey) DeLanghe, Mary (Tyler) Roehl, Donald Otis and Taylor Otis. Great Grandchildren: Thomas (Brooke) Runningen, Geoffrey & Erin Runningen; Adeline & Markus Runningen; Paige Kahoun (Kannan Pena), Drake Peters, Annika Reed; Nikki & Cheyanne Dahle; Collen & Caiden Dahle, Christian Esparza; Blake, Ethan DeSwarte & Joseph Gilbertson; Jennings & Harrison Rogers; Jack, Samuel, Cora & Andrew Czechowicz; Lucas & Ellie Thoma; Gregory, Adele & Clara DeLanghe; Maxwell, Evelyn, & Gabrielle Roehl. Great great grandchild; Greyson Pena. Brothers: Wilton Bunke, Robert (Bette Lou) Bunke; Sister-in-Laws - Jean (Don) Wanek, Linda (Bruce) Hovland, Amy Schmitz; Patricia Bunke, Darlene Bunke. Brother-in-Law: Dale Otis; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, her parents, Brothers: Paul Bunke, Jr, Edgar, Melvin, Earl, Stanley and Clinton Bunke.
Sisters: Esther Erdmann, Elfrieda Bunke, Grace Swanson and Marilyn Smaby.
A Funeral Service for Myrtle will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at the Highland Prairie Lutheran Church in Peterson, MN. Visitation will be held from 4 - 7 p.m. on Friday, July 30, 2021 at the Hoff Funeral Home in Rushford; as well as one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Myrtle will be laid to rest by her husband in the Hart Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sandra J Schulze American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 411 2nd St NW, Rochester, MN 55901 or your favorite charity. Please leave a memory of Myrtle and sign her online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Funeral Home of Rushford is assisting the family.
Tributes
"What a wonderful lady! Always a joy to talk with her and hear of her many talents! She always had a smile."
"Loved her musical talent and her JOY of LIFE!"
"Where do I begin... I write this with tears but yet I can?t help but smile for all the wonderful memories I have with Myrt. She amazed me whenever we were together. She had more fun and beautiful tunes in that little head of hers, all learned by ear ...hundreds of them! She was a wonderful musical friend but more than that she was my friend and my hero, she didn?t like me to say that. Now we have to all navigate through life without Myrt it will be the same. Thank you KAY .. for sharing your mom we are all blessed .... I write this with a grateful heart God bless all of Myrtle family my thoughts and prayers are with you all"
"Nyrt was so much fun to visit with on our trips back to Minnesota. She always inspired me with her handwork . She was always creative and hard working. Best memory was when my folks and I were visiting and Esther came over they broke out some homemade wine and told stories and giggled all afternoon and into the evening. We all enjoyed the day. Hugs to all she was a great inspiration in so many ways. Miss ya all Pam Bunke, Mt. "
"Our sympathy to Kay and Larry and all of Myrt?s family. What a special lady! She certainly lived life to the fullest. Thank you for sharing her with us on your trips to Verona. She will be missed. Cherish your beautiful memories!"
"Myrt was one of the first people to make Judy and I feel welcome when we moved to the Houston area and was always the same whenever we saw her. She is one of life\'s precious memories we find along life\'s journey. Will surely be missed but our loss is Heaven\'s gain."
"Myrt was one of a kind with so many wonderful qualities. I was fortunate enough to grow up with her and Don as neighbors. It was great to visit with her on numerous occasions in the past. She will truly be missed and remembered with fondness. My sympathy to all of her family. "
"Myrt was a very neat lady. I will miss her. "
"Condolences to Kay and all of Myrt?s family. It was always a treat to see her because she was such an example of faith and fun. In addition to her energy and optimism, we had the pleasure of enjoying her grapefruit pie while visiting Judy and JC in Texas. So grateful that we knew her! "
"Myrt was a very kind lady and I remember her with a smile. My mom and dad loved to hear the music Don and Myrt performed."
"Myrt was a very kind lady and I remember her with a smile. My mom and dad loved to hear the music Don and Myrt performed."
"Myrt was a wonderful lady. She always had a smile and something interesting to share! We send our deepest sympathy to all of her family."
"To Debra and all of Myrt\'s family, my heartfelt sympathy. Myrt was a multi-talented lady and a wonderful model of aging with grace and grit! I have such great memories of running into her out and about, listening to her music, and taking a road trip with her to visit Debra. Her legacy lives on in her family. Sending love to all."
"Myrt and her hubby were such a neat couple when I first met them in our park in TX. They sang together in many music jams, which she continued after his death. God bless her family during this sad time. She is free! A new body and eternal life."
"Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Myrt was such a neat and very special person in our lives. We have such great memories of the winters for years that we spent with her in Texas playing music, playing cards and having happy hours with friends. She had many talents and we still have fond memories of her raspberry and rhubarb wine. Love you Myrt!"