Steve Otto

Carl Stephens Otto (Steve), passed away at home on Friday, October 13, 2023 surrounded by family. Steve was born on June 16, 1941, in St. Louis, MO. He was 82 years old. On June 3, 1967, he was united in marriage to Mary Rauch.

Among his survivors are his wife, Mary Otto; daughter, LuLu Mesa and husband David, and their two children, Josephine and Jacob; son, Steve Otto and wife Leah and their three children, Kadin, Kaya, and Kallie; cousin, Harriet Weindorf and husband Jon, along with other relatives, two dogs, and many friends near and far.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Louisa Otto; mother and father-in-law, Frank and Josephine Rauch; three brother-in-laws, Charles Hidritch, Frank Rauch, Herb Dill, and sister-in-law, JoAnn Rauch.

At 19 years of age he began working at Missouri Meerschaum. He graduated from Washington University and continued working with his father running the company, until the company was sold. They started the Missouri Pipe and Smokers Articles Inc. and ran this company together until 1992. He served on the Board of Trustees at Stephens College for 6 years. Steve was a member of the Missouri Air National Guard, Lions Club, Elks Lodge, Washington Boat Club, and St. Francis Borgia Parish.

He took three trips from Washington to New Orleans by river and had a true love for the Missouri River and his time on it. He loved working on his different boats over the years, enjoyed shooting trips with his friends, and scuba diving with his daughter and granddaughter Josie. Steve enjoyed trips to Europe, for business and pleasure. He had a love for studying World War I history and artifacts, sharing interesting stories with everyone, and meeting new people. He never met a stranger and at no time met a dog that he did not like.

A visitation will be Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 4-7 p.m. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home. A prayer service will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday, October 20, 2023 at the St. Francis Borgia Church. Memorial donations can be made to the Franklin County Humane Society or Mercy Hospice.

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