Otto V. W. Giese

Otto V. W. Giese, 92, of Tilleda, passed away at home on Friday afternoon, Oct. 28, 2022, with family at his side. Otto was born on Nov. 23, 1929, to Frank and Minnie (Bratz) Giese in a log house on the family farm in Town of Seneca. He was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Tilleda where he was a lifelong member. Otto married Elizabeth “Betty” Dey (his beloved Suzie) on June 14, 1952, at Elias Lutheran Church in the Town of Herman. He and Betty celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family and friends in June. Otto was a graduate of Bowler High School. After marriage, his first job off the farm was on the Rockville Mink/Trout Ranch in Tilleda, where he worked for 12 years, during which time he and Betty built their own home. After that, Otto worked for Clintonville Lumber and Supply for 30 years. Otto was a committeeman for Central Wisconsin Electric Coop for 25 years and a life member of the North American Hunting Club. He played baseball and umpired men’s, women’s and 4-H softball teams. He was recognized as a Shawano County Volunteer of the Year for his many contributions to the Tilleda community. Otto was a 50-year member of the Tilleda Advancement Association where he fried those famous potato pancakes for TAA and church dinners each year. Otto took many hunting and fishing trips out west. Otto and Betty traveled the U.S. extensively and liked to camp. They drove the United States from coast to coast and from Mexico to the Canadian Rockies. Their Labor Day trip this summer was to see the Chapel of the Transfiguration in the Grand Teton National Park and the 50-mule team hitch parade in Idaho. He is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth; children, Greg (Mary) Giese, of Bowler, Charlotte (Donald) Schwartz, of Gresham, Mark Giese, of Marion, and Curt (Wendi) Giese, of Meridan, Idaho; grandchildren, Charles Schwartz, Dawn (Brian) Berg, Stacy (Emily) Schwartz, Heather (Zack) Hoffman, Michael Giese and Joe (Paige) Giese; great-grandchildren, Matthew Berg, Emily Berg, Cole Onesti and Tenley Schwartz. Otto is further survived by a sister, Angeline Ebert; a brother, Orville (Sandy) Giese, in-laws, Mabel Giese, Darlene Dey, Vernon and Delores Dey; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Otto was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Roy and Ruben; brothers-in law, Quentin Ebert and Marlin Dey; and sister-in-law, Betty Giese. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, at Peace Lutheran Church in Tilleda with the Rev. Lois Graper officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation was held on Tuesday at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano from 4-7 p.m. and again at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Otto’s name may be directed to Peace Lutheran Church in Tilleda. The family of Otto would like to extend a special thank you to Greg, Charlotte and Stacy for their loving care under the guidance of ThedaCare at Home Hospice.