Mildred E. Otterby

Mildred “Mickey” E. Otterby, age 103, of Sioux Falls, passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Dow Rummel in Sioux Falls. Private family services will be held at West Nidaros Lutheran Church with burial in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to West Nidaros Lutheran Church,

Mildred was born on January 31, 1922, near Flandreau, to Alvin and Mabel (Erickson) Pederson. She grew up on a farm near Flandreau and attended school in town. Following her graduation, she moved to Rapid City and attended Black Hills College. After college she returned to Flandreau where she served as the deputy clerk of courts for Moody County until moving to Sioux Falls where she worked at a secretary at a gas company.

She met Leonard Otterby of Crooks, and they were married on May 31, 1947, in Flandreau. They lived in Sioux Falls and Brookings while Leonard attended Augustana College and South Dakota State College. They then moved to Salem and then to Sioux Falls before finally settling on the Otterby farm east of Crooks. They farmed until Leonard’s retirement in 1994 and then moved into Sioux Falls. Leonard passed away on July 25, 1996. She was a member of West Nidaros Lutheran Church, WELCA, and the extension club. She enjoyed playing cards, having lunch with friends, entertaining, and dancing with Leonard.

Survivors include her daughters: Jolane (Larry) Hennessey, Sioux City, Judi (Bob) Egan, Crooks, and Vicki (Gordon) Jager, Woodbury; grandchildren: Erin Anderson, Chris Egan, Chad Hennessey, Sommer Monlux, Joe Jager, Gregg Jager, and Michael Jager; great grandchildren: Shannon Reynolds, Jacob Hennessey, Michael Hennessey, Teagan Monlux, Logan Monlux, Noah Anderson, Riley Anderson, Lucus Egan, Joeth Zermeno, Arath Hennessey, Isabella Jager, Joseph Jager, Jack Jager, Charlie Jager, and Ben Jager; great great grandchildren: Salem Reynolds, Tyler Hennessey, and Caleb Hennessey; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Alvin and Mabel Pederson, husband Leonard, and siblings, Lyle Pederson, Donald Pederson, and Darlene Lohnes.