Vivian (Kleckner) Otte, 101, of Lena passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 5, 2023. She was born on January 13, 1922 on the home farm in Pleasant Valley Township near Stockton, IL. Vivian was the third daughter of Mary (Staub) and Ernest Kleckner. She attended Neutral Ridge Grade Rural School all eight years in a one room, one teacher school. She graduated from Stockton High School in 1940 and then was employed at Kraft Cheese in Stockton.

Then, as the story goes, Vivian met Don Otte through a friend of a friend -

The start to a love that would have no end -

They first met each other at the Freeport Fair -

Next time she saw him sitting in a barber's chair...

And so it began. Vivian married Don on Oct. 4, 1941. Don and Vivian farmed the William Otte farm in Kent Township for 17 years. They then bought the Heyer Feed Mill in Lena. They owned and operated the mill for fifty years, later changing the name to Lena Feed Mill. Vivian lost her life partner and best friend when Don preceded Vivian in death in 2011. They were married for 69 years and always had a loving relationship that their family admired.

Vivian is survived by three daughters - Bonnie Guthrie of Lena, Patty (Robert) Noller of Branson, MO and Pamela (Michael) Kalinosky of Viroqua, WI, five grandchildren - Gregory (Kathy) Gahm and Matthew (Donna) Gahm, both of Lena, Angela Gahm of Colorado Springs, CO, Jennifer (Jeff) Cape of Woodridge, IL and Halvin (Staci) Gahm of Boerne, TX, six great grandchildren - Dylan (Angelica) Gahm, Heidi (Ryan) Hoepner, Heather (Trevor) Sexton, Victoria Gahm, and Halli and Brooke Gahm, three great-great grandchildren - Josiah and Gracelynn Gahm and Ashton Hoepner, two step grandchildren - Dana Noller and Danielle (Kevin Phillips) Van Huizen, six step great grandchildren - Kelli Mathews, Adam (Angie) Mathews, Kerri (Kevin) Maess, and Austin, Jacob and Tyler Van Huizen, nine step great-great grandchildren - Makayla and Austin Fisher, Mya, Giovanni and Myles Greco, Cole and Nora Mathews, and Henry and Ivy Maess and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Vivian was the last surviving child of Earnest and Mary. Preceding her in death were her sisters and brothers Genevieve (Donald Russell), Marjorie (Russell Roberts), Gladys (Laverne West), Berl (Lori), Owen (Lillian), Robert (Shirley), Richard (Ruth), Donald, Allen (Jeanette) and Jeanette (Allen Haas).

Vivian was a member of Salem United Church of Christ, Lena since marrying Don. She lived to see her 100th birthday and enjoyed a party in her honor that was attended by  daughters, their families and nieces and nephews. Vivian's hobbies included cooking and baking (and she was such a great cook!), keeping a spotless home, cross stitching, crossword puzzles, "judge" TV shows, traveling with Don - in particular loving visiting Las Vegas and other casinos - and hosting family gatherings. Thanksgiving and Christmas were her specialties and the food was not only delicious but in abundance.  She was a joyous talker and a true friend, kind and caring. Vivian spent her last years at the Lena Living Center where she has blossomed and made many friends. Special thanks to those there for making her feel at home for many years and also to the staff of FHN Lena and Unity Hospice for her care. She was a wonderful grandmother and cared about her grandchildren more than anything.  She was devoted to her ten siblings. And she was a generous, thoughtful mom that was always supportive of her girls. She was a very special lady that those who knew her were blessed to have in their lives.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at the Leamons Funeral Home in Lena, IL. With a Visitation held from 9:30 am until time of service.

Pastor Christopher Ham will be officiating the service.

The burial will take place at Lena Burial Park.

A memorial has been established in her name.