Martha Ott Obituary

Martha “Irene” Ott, 98, of Stevensville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Powell House in St. Joseph.

The family will receive guests from 10am until time of funeral service at 11am, Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2673 W. John Beers Rd., Stevensville, Pastor Jesse Knox officiating. Interment to follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery, Stevensville. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or School www.stpaulswels.org, or Michigan Lutheran High School www.michiganlutheran.org or Gentiva Hospice https://www.gentivahs.com. Online condolences can be given at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Irene was born September 2, 1925 in Benton Harbor, MI to John and Juliana (Freier) Rimpel. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School and soon after WWII, she married Norman Ott in the fall of 1945. Irene was a quintessential hard-working wife and mother. She had a “no quit” mentality; alongside her husband in the farm fields or construction sites, she worked hard at any and all of the tasks that were handed to her. She was his right-hand man, and often the children’s crew chief; making sure things were done and done right. A mentality that also shone through in her cooking. Martha loved to cook for her family, taking pride in everything homemade – because if it wasn’t homemade, it wasn’t good!

Irene will be missed by her children, Ron (Diana) Ott, Linda (the late Charles) Ludwig, and Bonnie (James) Gassmann; her grandchildren, Richard A. Ott, James M. (Susie) Ott, Daniel R. (Jill) Ott, Sarah (Kevin) Azbill, Michael (Jennifer) Ludwig, Mark (Rachel) Ludwig, Philip Gassmann, and Anne Gassmann; 13 great grandchildren; and one great, great grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Norman Ott; a great grandchild; her four siblings; and her parents.