Sidney "Sid" L. Otterson

With the sounds of Frank Sinatra playing, Sidney L. “Sid” Otterson, 85, of La Crescent, passed away on Sunday, August 10, 2014, at the Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center.

He was born in Waupaca, Wis., on November 28, 1928, to John and Mabel (Buer) Otterson, and grew up in nearby Scandinavia, Wis. On June 11, 1950, Sid married Janice D. Violette in La Crosse.

Sid attended Scandinavia schools and graduated from Scandinavia High School. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy and served in China and Japan from 1946-47. After his discharge from the Navy, Sid went on to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Education. He later received his Master’s degree in Administration from Winona State University.

Sid began his teaching career as the 8th grade teacher for the Whitehall School District and as the basketball coach, girl’s gymnastics coach and assistant football coach at Whitehall High School. He eventually became a teacher at the high school, and, after eight years of teaching, he became the Guidance Counselor at the high school, a position he held for the next 38 years. His retirement in 1990 marked the end of a career that spanned over 45 years of faithful, dedicated service to hundreds of students who went through the Whitehall school system.

Sid was a long-time member of the Whitehall Lions Club. He enjoyed golf in his free time and was an avid fan of the Packers, Badgers and Brewers. He was also an accomplished singer and loved sharing his vocal talent at church functions, singing for residents at nursing homes, and any occasion that he was asked to sing.

Survivors include his wife, Janice; a daughter, Kim Otterson of Browerville, Minn.; a son, Dean Otterson and his fiancé, Susan, of La Crescent; one granddaughter, Mackenzie Otterson of Mankato, Minn.; four sisters, Alice Creely of Chicago, Ill., Edna Latsch of Fort Atkinson, Wis., Ruby (Albin) Nygard of Thief River Falls, Minn., and Norma Otterson of Green Bay, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Milo and Clifford Otterson; and two sisters, Ann Stern and Irene Wagner.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 16th, at 1:00 p.m., at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 21 North Hill St., La Crescent. Rev. Mike Woods will officiate. Burial will take place in Onalaska City Cemetery at a later date. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from noon until the time of service. Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crescent is assisting the family.

The family also wants to acknowledge the entire staff at Bethany St. Joseph. The care and love expressed by staff to Sid and his family will never be forgotten. Thank you