Gladys Cogeshall Otto

Gladys Cogeshall Otto passed away Saturday, October 29 in Avon Lake, Ohio. She was 99.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, George Otto. Gladys leaves behind her son, Peter Otto (Theresa Tunnicliff) of San Diego, three daughters, Susan (Steve, deceased) of Eagen MN, Jill (Steve) of Minneapolis MN, Holly (Ed) of Bay Village Ohio, 6 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and numerous friends.

Gladys was born September 19, 1923 in Chicago, IL and grew up in Chicago and Milwaukee, WI. She received a Bachelor of Philosophy as a Zoology Major from the University of Wisconsin and furthered her education there receiving a Masters degree in Genetics. She worked at Abbott Laboratories in Vitamin Research.

She married George Otto in 1946 and moved to Newton, Iowa in 1953 where she lived until 2015. After raising her children, Gladys returned to part-time work as Project Manager of the Jasper County Congregate Meals Program. She also served on the Jasper County School Board. Gladys was a longtime member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Des Moines, the Lunar Society, the League of Women Voters, Tri-T, and other political and social action groups. She and her husband George enjoyed many summers with their children and their families in the Rocky Mountains.

Gladys will be remembered for her love of cooking, sewing, quilting and for her lovely gardens.

Memorial contributions in honor of Gladys may be sent to: Philanthropy Department YMCA of the Rockies, PO Box 20800, Estes Park, CO 80511. Checks may be made payable to “YMCA of the Rockies”; please reference “George and Gladys Otto Memorial”.