Joan Otting, 80, of Traer died at her home on May 2, 2015. She was born May 19, 1934 to William and Corinne Trager in Oelwein, Iowa. Joan graduated from Oelwein High School in 1952. On August 30, 1952 she married Leon Richard Otting in Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. He died November 29, 1979. Joan served on the North Tama Community School Board from 1976 to 2000 and was the first female elected to the school board and served as it’s president for a number of years. After she was widowed she attended the University of Northern Iowa and graduated in December of 1983 cum laude with a B.A. in Social Work. In 1986 she was honored as UNI’s Parent of the Year and was the first single parent selected. She worked as a social worker at St Francis Hospital in Waterloo and nursing homes in Toledo, Dysart, Gladbrook, and Traer. From 1974 until her death Joan was also an antique dealer exhibiting at various shows and flea markets in the area with her family.

She is survived by four daughters, Julie (David) Poe of Cedar Falls, Laurie (Patrick) Williams of Ft. Hood, Texas, Amy Otting of Traer, and Sara (Dan) Coleman of Jacksonville, North Carolina. Three sons, Terry (Mary) of Gahanna, Ohio, David (Sheri) of Cedar Falls, and Matt (Beth) of San Antonio, Texas, 17 grandchildren, and one great grandson. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leon, a daughter, Kathy Friedley, a grandson, Adam, two sisters and a brother.

Joan enjoyed family, antiquing, crocheting, reading, her home and her cats.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Joan Otting, 80

Joan Otting, 80, of Traer died at her home on May 2, 2015. She was born May 19, 1934 to William and Corinne Trager in Oelwein, Iowa. Joan graduated from Oelwein High School in 1952. On August 30, 1952 she married Leon Richard Otting in Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. He died November 29, 1979. Joan served on the North Tama Community School Board from 1976 to 2000 and was the first female elected to the school board and served as it’s president for a number of years. After she was widowed she attended the University of Northern Iowa and graduated in December of 1983 cum laude with a B.A. in Social Work. In 1986 she was honored as UNI’s Parent of the Year and was the first single parent selected. She worked as a social worker at St Francis Hospital in Waterloo and nursing homes in Toledo, Dysart, Gladbrook, and Traer. From 1974 until her death Joan was also an antique dealer exhibiting at various shows and flea markets in the area with her family.

She is survived by four daughters, Julie (David) Poe of Cedar Falls, Laurie (Patrick) Williams of Ft. Hood, Texas, Amy Otting of Traer, and Sara (Dan) Coleman of Jacksonville, North Carolina. Three sons, Terry (Mary) of Gahanna, Ohio, David (Sheri) of Cedar Falls, and Matt (Beth) of San Antonio, Texas, 17 grandchildren, and one great grandson. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leon, a daughter, Kathy Friedley, a grandson, Adam, two sisters and a brother.

Joan enjoyed family, antiquing, crocheting, reading, her home and her cats.

Memorials may be directed to the family.