Joan (Scanlan) Otto a member of the Delano community for more than 70 years died on Saturday, April 5, 2025, just shy of her 92nd birthday. She is preceded in death by her husband Charles A Otto, daughter Mary Rose (Otto) Johnson, parents John P and Alice (Capelle) Scanlan of Eyota MN and brother, Gene Scanlan of Eyota MN. Joan is survived by her children, Frank Otto Roanoke VA, Janet Otto Delano MN, Colleen (Otto) and Erik Johnson Duluth MN, Jean (Otto) and Ron Baumann Peyton CO, Stephen and Dawn (Akins) Otto Winsted MN, Phillip and Donna (Scherr) Otto Maple Lake MN, Mark and Denise (Horsch) Otto Delano MN, Kevin and Elizabeth (Morris) Otto Delano MN, Linda (Otto) and Stacy Osborne North Mankato MN, son-in-law Darrell Johnson Buffalo MN and a special niece who was like a daughter Sue (Maas) and Neal DeMars Winsted, MN. Dozens of grandchildren, multiple great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Joan is also survived by her sister Betty (Scanlan) and Don Lero, her brothers and their wives; Jim Scanlan and (Mary-deceased), Johnny and Julie Scanlan, David and Lana Scanlan and sister-in-law Karen Scanlan.

Joan was a beacon of light to those she met. Born in a farming area near Rochester MN, she was a graduate of Lourdes High School in Rochester MN and worked at the Mayo Clinic after graduation. A little-known fact, Joan took a correspondence course with the Famous Artist School which had been founded by members of the New York Society of Illustrators, principally Albert Dorne and Norman Rockwell. Joan was a gifted artist in all art mediums which was seen in everything she touched through her life. Joan had especially a love of drawing, painting, and anything to do with fabric. Her quilts are truly works of art. Joan was an avid reader. She loved history, a good love story, murder mystery, and cookbooks with a variety of cuisines! Joan started her 4-H career as a member of the Haverhill 4-H Club in Olmsted County. In Wright County, Joan was a 4-H Key Leader, Instructor, County Fair Judge, and Life Member of the Minnesota Adult Volunteer Association. She was very involved in all things 4-H!

Joan was a member of the Wright County Homemakers Association, Quilters Club in Delano, and was involved with many events at St Peters Catholic Church, cooking for the annual fall festival, sewing and caring for altar cloths, vestments, and banners. Joan would drive the Franciscan Sisters who taught at St Peter’s school to and from Assisi Heights in Rochester MN when visiting her parents.
Joan was very involved with her husband Charlie in the family business of Otto Transfer which was founded almost 80 years ago. She managed the books, payroll, was the calm voice on the phone all while raising 10 children. How to sum up this beautiful, inspirational, talented, patient woman in so few words, for each thought brings another. Although we have heavy hearts, we each remember her in our own way. There was softness, kindness, and love in this woman we called Mother!

Masss of Christian Burial was held at 11 AM on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic parish, St. Peter’s campus. A wake took place at Iten’s Funeral Home April 14th from 4-8 pm. Visitation continued at St. Peter’s Church April 15th from 10-11 AM with funeral following. Interment was in the Calvary Cemetery in Delano, Minnesota.