Services
Obituary
Amy R. Otto, 42, of Lakewood, Colorado, formerly of Kanawha passed away Monday, September 9, 2024.
Memorial Service for Amy Otto will be held at 3:00 PM, Sunday, October 6, 2024 at Ewing Funeral Home, 178 Center Street West in Britt.
To Livestream Amy's Memorial Service, click here.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 PM, Sunday, October 6, 2024 at Ewing Funeral Home, 178 Center Street West in Britt.
Amy Renee Otto, the daughter of Deborah (Mallen) and Thomas Otto, was born February 1, 1982, in Clarion, Iowa. Affectionately known as Dubs by her dad, she grew up in Kanawha and attended West Hancock School District. There she excelled in the music program, participating in choir, Opus Choir, school plays and winning overall top show at the State Choral Contest in 1999. Being the fun and silly person she was, Amy brought joy to others, being the West Hancock Eagle mascot. She graduated from West Hancock with the class of 2000.
While in high school, Amy worked at Hartwig’s Café and started her career in care giving at the Kanawha Community Home. She attended Buena Vista University before she moved to Ames to attend Des Moines Area Community College.
Amy moved back to the area and worked for Oakwood Care Center, the Other Place and Mercy Medical Center. Her natural ability to connect with others made her a cherished presence among residents and staff alike.
In 2008, Amy was united in marriage to Nick Rinnels and to this union, one daughter Reese was born. Reese and Amy moved back to Kanawha to be closer to her beloved grandparents, James and Elaine Mallen, creating many great memories. After they passed, Amy moved to Lakewood Colorado in 2023 where she gave birth to her son, Lorenzo.
Amy had an infectious smile that could light up any room. She loved to talk and had a natural gift for connecting with people, whether it was a casual chat with a stranger or a deep conversation with a friend. Her social skills were off the charts—she could make friends with anyone, from kids to grandpas. No matter the crowd, she thrived, effortlessly drawing people into her warm and welcoming energy.
Being so social, Amy loved to share her musical talents, which came naturally at the young age of 2. She sang at many weddings and graced the stage of the county theater, bringing joy to every performance. You could often hear her singing her favorite “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper. She also loved cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Amy is survived by her parents Tom and Deb Otto of Clear Lake; her children Reese Rinnels and baby Lorenzo; brothers Dan (Melissa) Hartl of Clear Lake and their children Aidan and Alaina and Adam (Jess) Otto of Clear Lake and their children McKinley, Quinn, Finley and Mallen along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents Kenneth and Shirley Otto, maternal grandparents James and Cora Elaine Mallen, aunts Peg Miller, Marilyn McKenna and Vanetta Molenkamp, uncle Dennis Tassell and cousin Dale Johnson.