Our Dad was born on December 23, 1931, in Walker, Minnesota. At eight years old, he began his first job delivering newspapers in his hometown Walker, Minnesota. He went on to become an Eagle Scout and participated in football for four years at Walker High School before attending Carleton College, where he continued to play football. He then served two years in the United States Army and played football for the Army.
During the Korean War, Dad held the role of top-secret Specialist for the United Nations Command of the Military Armistice Commission, contributing to negotiations for the armistice agreement signed in 1953. In recognition of his distinguished service, he was honored in Washington, D.C., in 2023.
On August 31, 1957, Dad married Joyce Marie Benson, also a Walker graduate. Mom worked at the Bell Telephone Company and supported Dad while he attended the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, where he served as President of his fraternity. He created the dental school’s logo and received formal commendation for his drawing of a Minnesota Gopher holding a dental instrument, which featured in the inaugural School of Dentistry yearbook.
In 1959, Dad established a dental practice in Silver Bay, Minnesota. He consulted for the Oral Surgery Department at North Shore Hos-pital and was a member of the Lake County Health Board. He served as President of the Silver Bay Jaycees and contributed actively to the community. Together with our grand-mother, Marie Benson, they created Rocky Taconite bobbleheads, symbolizing the significance of iron mining in Silver Bay. A statue commemorating Rocky Taconite stands at the city’s entrance and bobbleheads continue to be sought after by collectors.
Our family returned to Walker in 1973. Dad’s passion for music led him to found Barbershop Choruses in both Silver Bay and Walker. He thoroughly loved to sing with family at our shared cabin on Leech Lake. We
called it Channel Heights and all of us, cous-ins, aunts, uncles and grandparents have cherished memories of our time at the lake.
Dad was an avid traveler, he visited all seven continents, Antarctica was his personal favorite.
Dad was a member of the American Dental Association. He worked for 54 years as a Dentist. He provided volunteer dental services in Brazil’s Amazon region and locally in the Leech Lake area to individuals in need. He received recognition from the Minnesota Dental Association for over 20 years of volunteer service.
Dad actively supported the Walker-Leech Lake Community through membership in organizations including Walker Industries and Cultural Alliance, Legion, Lions, Rotary, and Sons of Norway. He was awarded the “key to the city” for creating the Circle of Time sculpture exhibit and authored several books to support community initiatives. His weekly contributions to the “Old and the New” column in the Walker Pilot Independent reflected his commitment to sharing stories and history.
Dad is now reunited with our mom Joyce. He is remembered with great affection by his children: Mara (Mitch) Loomis, Franz (Maggie Mellby) Ringle, Sudena (James) Johnson, and Theo (Brandy) Ringle; grandchildren Keane (Andrea) Johnson, Breah (Ryan) Steenson, Vaughn (Emily) Loomis, Ellise (Jason) John-son, Benson (Mallory) Ringle, Eiluj Starr (Mitchell) Hancock, Clara, Thea and Christian Ringle; great-grandchildren Jayla, Ryla, Bradyn, Bauer, Brooklynn, Emery, Baby J, Reese, and Hollis; sister Suzanne Pfau; brother John (Teresa) Ringle; sisters-in-law Dianne Kennedy and Donna Dickinson; close friend, Alice Groth; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
If you were a part of our Dad’s life in any way, he wanted to let you know, “it was a plea-sure walking life’s pathway with you”.
Memorial gifts will go to the Hope Lutheran Church Arboretum in Walker. Thank you!
“Peaceful Endings lead to Peaceful Beginnings.” Funeral services provided by Northern Peace, Walker. A remembrance and celebration of Otto’s life was held on Tuesday, July 29, with a visitation at 3 pm and the funeral at 4 pm at Hope Lutheran Church in Walker.
