Clair Otten

Clair Otten
Sterling, Utah

     Alfred Clair Otten, of Sterling, passed away June 19, 2024. He was born in Mt. Pleasant, to Alda and August Otten, October 5, 1932. His family moved to Sterling when Clair was only 5, and Nine-Mile Ranch has been his home ever since. Clair leaves behind a legacy of hard work, cherished memories and a life he loved. He was drafted in the Army and served in Korea, many of the men in his unit did not make it back home. Clair put together a herd of registered Holsteins and had some pretty amazing animals. He loved the challenge of seeing his herd production improve. He married Arla Larsen and together they had 8 children: ClareAnn, Mark, Natalee, Russell, Travis, Arleen, Dexter, Sheldon.  
     He taught 4th grade at Gunnison Valley Elementary School for over 39 years where he had the opportunity of teaching all 8 children as they went through school. Clair was a bishop of the Sterling Ward when the current church building was built over 30 years ago. He was president of the Sterling Irrigation Company for over 50 years. What great improvements have taken place over those years: from furrow irrigation (with shovel in hand), to hand-line sprinklers (in 1978), to wheel line sprinklers, and now to self-moving pivot line sprinklers. Three cheers for making better use of our water.  
     Clair is survived by his wife and children; siblings: Dean and Shila; 39 grandchildren and over 60 great-grandchildren. He is proceeded in death his parents; siblings; Ray, Max, Marian Jean, Betty and Bert Otten.  
     “Grandpa, we’ll miss you!” 
     Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 12:00 Noon in the Sterling Ward Chapel. A viewing will be held Tuesday night in the Church from 6-7:00 pm and Wednesday morning from 10:30-11:30 am prior to the services. Burial will be in the Sterling Cemetery with military honors by the Manti American Legion Post #31and the Utah Honor Guard. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com