Theresa Ruth Otto

Theresa "Terry" Ruth Otto (nee Horbas) passed away in the early morning of June 7, 2025, aged 92. She was born on April 23, 1933, in Milwaukee to parents Joseph and Barbara (nee Dezic) Horbas. Terry was a graduate of Custer High School class of 1950 and later graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1954, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. Following her graduation, she married the love of her life, Donald Otto, in 1954. Their wedding at Milwaukee's Turner Hall Ballroom was a grand affair attended by nearly 300 people who danced into the wee hours of the morning, making memories to last a lifetime. After graduation, Don and Terry were stationed in Germany with the US Army for three years where they welcomed their first child, Cynde. Together they were able to see much of Europe, driving from country to country in their VW Karmann Ghia, and with a recently purchased camera, Terry was able to capture their travels on film.

Terry was a dynamic, driven, and vivacious woman who loved to spend time laughing with family and friends and will be remembered for her undying can-do attitude toward everything she did and every challenge she faced. She was generous and nurturing, making sure you always had a Kleenex, a pair of scissors, and, with her "need to feed", always had enough to eat. Terry was a lover of nature who could identify any bird that showed up in the yard or any plant she happened to see. She was an avid bowler and traveled with her teams to national bowling tournaments and even appeared on WTMJ's Bowling with the Champs. And let's not forget her other favorite hobby - shopping. Or as she liked to call it, retail therapy. "Shop 'til you drop" was one of her favorite mottos.

Once her children were in school full-time, Terry went back to work, enjoying a career in sales with ABC Outdoor Advertising in Waukesha and worked her way up to Vice President of Sales. After retiring from ABC, Terry volunteered at the Waukesha Service Club and served a term as president. She will be greatly missed by many.

Terry is survived by her loving husband Donald "Don" Otto; cherished children Cynde Otto, David Otto and Jim (Mary) Otto; grandchild Amr "Marcin" Fahmy and further survived by other family members and friends. Terry is preceded in death by her two sisters and brother, daughter-in-law, and parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at the Elks Lodge, 2301 Springdale Road, Waukesha, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Memorials in Terry's name are appreciated to the Waukesha Service Club.