Beverly Ottman

Beverly Elaine (Martin) Ottman, aged 94, passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at Evergreen Senior Community in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, Vern (Curly) in 2016, after 68 years of marriage.   

Beverly is survived by three children: Sue Ellen Ottman of West Bend, Pat (Jack) Fox of Brown Deer and John (Deb) Ottman of Minneapolis; grandchildren: Elizabeth (Abdul) Oke, Amanda (Daniel) Núñez, and Michael, David and Brian Ottman; three great-grandchildren: Jasmyne, Jayla and Mia; and niece: Diane Monroe and nephew: Daniel Roth.    

Beverly was born in Oshkosh on March 6, 1927, to Frank and Lois (Mason) Martin, the youngest of four children: brother George and sisters Lois and Lou Jean. Her early life was difficult; her father passed away three months before her birth and her brother drowned while boating on the Fox River when she was seven. Finally, her mother passed away when Beverly was a teenager, leaving the three young women to find their way.        

Losing so much at an early age didn’t leave Bev bitter about life or resentful of others and is a testament to her basic goodness, resilience and enduring faith in God. Rather, she chose to embrace life, getting up every morning with determination and enthusiasm for the day ahead.   

Despite these challenges, Bev recalled a happy and active childhood. She was always on the go − swimming the summer days away, roller skating, playing volleyball, and skating on a frozen Lake Winnebago. And she never gave up trying to convince the older neighborhood boys to let her and a girlfriend join them in playing hockey or water tag. Bev loved sports and was blessed with a competitive spirit and natural athletic ability.   

Bev graduated from Oshkosh Senior High School in 1944 and soon after, rekindled her high school friendship with Curly when he returned to Oshkosh after serving in the Navy. Their friendship turned into love and they married. Bev and Curly moved to Milwaukee and later to Brown Deer to raise their young family. After living in Hartford for eight years, they returned to Oshkosh after retirement.  

Beyond her roles as wife, mother and homemaker, Bev had a long career as a school secretary at Brown Deer Middle School, where her contributions exceeded her ability to type and organize. One of her gifts was the ability to put others at ease, relating to students and teachers, administrators and custodians alike. She was a well-loved member of the school community.   

Bev’s active lifestyle continued into adulthood: swimming, sledding and ice skating with her kids, chaperoning Girl Scout outings − even driving school bus. Her greatest love was golf and her Ping putter her pride and joy.  She played golf regularly, relished the camaraderie of her ladies groups and enjoyed many years playing with Curly and other couples as well. Later in life she took up line dancing, water aerobics and ballroom dancing, bridge and vigorous walks with Curly – often twice a day!   

Bev was a loving wife, devoted mom, and number one fan of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a thoughtful and loyal friend. Bev loved growing zinnias, eating gummy peaches and Culver’s kids meals – mostly for the free scoop of custard that came with it! She will be dearly missed.      

The family wishes to extend a warm and special thank you to the staff at Evergreen ShareHaven and Moments Hospice for their care and for always treating Bev with dignity and kindness.   

A celebration of Beverly’s life will be held Saturday, April 30, at St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church, 8661 N. 76th Pl., Milwaukee. Visitation will be at 10:00 with Mass to follow at 11:00.