Leora Otte-Calkins

Leora M. Otte-Calkins, age 93 of Sauk Centre, died peacefully, surrounded by family on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at Fairway Pines Assisted Living in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, February 12 at Zion Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Marty Porter officiating. Interment will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Sauk Centre.

Visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday at the church.

Leora was born November 28, 1932 in Raymond Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Fay and Mina (Kraft) Beidleman. She grew up on a farm in Grove Lake and attended country school. Leora was united in marriage to Bernard “Ben” Otte on November 27, 1951, they had two children, Bruce (Bernard) Otte and David Otte. Ben died at an early age of 48. Later in life Leora remarried to Lewis Lester Calkins on December 4, 1981 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre. Leora worked for the Sauk Centre Home School as a cottage counselor for 20 plus years where she retired.

She was a good and faithful steward of her church and always volunteered. In her retirement years, she was very active enjoying the outdoors, walking, bowling, square dancing, spending time with her children and grandchildren, baking, the Red Hat Ladies, and playing cards. Leora was wonderful, loving woman and was very proud of her children and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her son, Bernard “Bruce” Otte (Faye Fuchs) of Melrose; daughter-in-law, Lisa Otte (John Emmel) of Sauk Centre; four grandchildren, Zach (Kari) Otte, Kate Otte (Jason Gettel), Abigail (Nick) Deters, and Seth (Clara) Otte; four great-grandchildren, Sammantha Zanda, Madison (Brandon) Bailey, Zach Deters (Jada), and Allison Deters; and one great-great-grandson, Hudson Bailey.

Leora was preceded in death by her first husband, Bernard Otte; second husband, Lewis Calkins; son, David Otte; sisters, Faye Lorraine (Wesley) Schroeder and Edress (Harry) Peterson; and brother, Alan (Cyrilla) Beidleman.