Katherine Bell Otte

Katherine Bell Bishoff Otte, the second daughter of Augustus Richard Bishoff and Vida Mary Strange Bishoff was born on July 23, 1928, at Lake City, Kansas.

They moved to rural Chase County in the fall of 1929.

She attended Pleasant Valley grade school, which was a one room school and took summer classes at Emporia Teachers College.

She was baptized by immersion in Cedar Creek and was a member of the Wonsevu Christian Church.

She taught two years of one room schools, her first year at the home school Pleasant Valley and the second year at Bethel, east of Lincolnville.

During this time, she met her future husband, Walter Otte, “The Love of Her Life,”. They were married May 16, 1947, by Pastor Wegener at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Lincolnville.

They had 66 years together before Walter died July 23, 2013, on Katherine’s 85th birthday.

They had two children, a daughter Dianna Thrift Gillett, who preceded her in death and a son Stanley (Nora) Otte, Dwight. They had seven grandchildren; Scott, Kevin and Patrick Thrift, Amanda Otte, Stacy Vernon, Jeffrey Prafke and Jenna Powers; great-grandchildren, Toby Thrift, Zayne Powers, Lucy Vernon, Taylor and Hailey Thornhill, Steve, Gary, Brian and Eric Gillett of Larned, KS.

Katherine worked for 8 years at Paragon Sewing Factory in Herington and 32 years at the Lutheran Nursing Home. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lincolnville, was confirmed March 16, 1948, and taught Sunday School for several years.

Family was at the heart of Katherine’s life. She treasured time spent with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and their families, especially the fun and laughter shared at family gatherings. She found joy in the simple things- sewing quilts, working puzzles, gardening and most of all, being surrounded by the people she loved.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 7, 2026, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lincolnville, KS, with a funeral service following at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Lincolnville Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Good Shepherd Hospice and may be sent in care of Sawyer Funeral Home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS. 66846.