Mark E. Otto, 70, of Grinnell, the husband of Joyce Otto, died on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held at 4:00 pm on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at the Grinnell Friends Church. A dinner reception will follow the service at the church. A private family burial will be held on Monday at Chester Cemetery north of Grinnell.

Visitation with the family present will be held prior to the service beginning at 3:00 pm at the church.

Memorials may be designated to Tiger Packs, a fund to help nourish local area school children, and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Mark's family online at www.smithfh.com.

Mark Edward Otto, the son of Robert Earl Otto and Eloise Marie (Cooper) Otto, was born on September 30, 1952 in Grinnell. He was raised in Grinnell and graduated with the Grinnell High School class of 1970.

Mark was united in marriage to Joyce Sears on November 17, 1979 at the Calvary Baptist Church in Grinnell. The couple was blessed with three children: Megan, Colton, and Bethany. They raised their family in Malcom, Iowa. Mark worked at FarmHand in Grinnell and he later worked for AIB College of Business in Des Moines in the security department.

In recent years, they moved to an acreage north of Grinnell and Mark found tranquility in taking care of the grounds, enjoying bonfires, and tending to their garden. He will be remembered for being ornery and fun-loving, for being a hard-worker, and for being a father, husband, and friend to many. Mark enjoyed daily trips to town, telling tall-tales, visiting with strangers, finding a good deal, and ensuring he was prepared for any situation that may arise.

Mark is survived by his wife of 43 years, Joyce Otto of Grinnell; daughter, Megan (Eric) Caves of Polk City, IA and their children (Devyn, Davis, Deya, and Dawson); son, Colton (Kelly) Otto of Cedar Rapids, IA and their children (Logan and Jack); daughter, Bethany (John) Grotberg of St. Louis, MO and their children (Eloise and Thatcher); sister, Kathleen McCune of Waukee, IA; sister-in-law, Ramona Otto of Santa Monica, CA; and his numerous nieces and nephews. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Steven Otto.