Memorial service will be held at 2:00PM on Tuesday May 23, 2023 at Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden with interment prior to the service at the Southside Cemetery.
Otto Hamm
1931 ~ 2023
It is with great sadness and tender care that the family of Otto Hamm announces his passing on May 19, 2023, at the age of 91. Otto was born in Neubergthal, Manitoba on July 6, 1931, to Peter W and Anna A Hamm. Otto was the youngest of four siblings and grew up in the village of Neubergthal which shaped him and where he formed the first of many lifelong friendships.
Otto and his future wife Susan were both baptized on May 13, 1951 in the Rudnerweider Church in Neubergthal. Two years later Otto married Susan Unger, of Edenburg, Manitoba, on June 28, 1953, and together they shared almost 70 years together. They often spoke of their deep gratitude to God for this gift of a long-shared life in God’s care.
Otto was a man of strong faith, a steadfast supporter of the church, and a firm believer in God’s extravagant love. And he was Susan’s fiercest protector, supporter, and steadfast partner, through every joy and sorrow of their life together. Otto was always either meeting old friends or making new friends everywhere he went. Even in his last days at the Red River Valley Lodge in Morris, every new person was a potential new friend. From young until old, he was intrigued with new things, new ideas, new stories, new people, and the world around him.
Otto finished grade 9 by correspondence and then left the farm to pick potatoes, load beets, work in a sugar factory, and work as an exterior plasterer. Soon after they were married, he got his first office job, starting at Red River Valley Mutual Insurance on Dec 1, 1954. On Dec 1, 1960 he started as Administrator of the Altona Hospital. On Dec 1, 1967 he started as Administrator of the Morden Hospital. And on Dec 1, 1990 he officially retired.
After the move to Morden in 1967, Otto became more and more involved in the life and work of the Morden Mennonite Church. In 1972 he was installed as a deacon, and in 1977 during a time when the church was without a lead minister, he was installed as Lay Minister as part of a three-person ministerial team for 2 years. He was also always on a committee or three, led German worship services for many years, brought services to Tabor Home and Salem Home, and, as he aged, he tried to be a strong supporter of new leaders in the church.
Something about Otto’s character that is very special to us is the fact that he was the “go to” pastor for so very many weddings and funerals. He did many different and hard funerals, for people of any denomination or no denomination. He conducted a number of funerals for Susan’s family members, and many others for people who wanted a pastor and had no church affiliation. They trusted Otto to care, and love, and preside over these holy moments with grace and care.
Otto loved to travel. Among his favourite memories are the trip he and Susan took with John and Elsie Heide to BC in 1964, shortly before John’s sudden passing. His hospital work took him to Maine, Oregon, British Columbia, Quebec, California, and many other places, each with often remembered stories.
His lifelong love of singing also afforded several opportunities to travel. His first male quartets in Altona and Morden often involved singing in nearby towns, and his many years with the Morden Men’s Choir and the Faith & Life choir took him to Germany and Mexico and several provinces, with Susan at his side.
His retirement travel interests included delivering RVs all over Canada, sometimes together with Susan, and together they enjoyed some wonderful winter holidays in Osoyoos BC.
Otto was predeceased by his parents and all three of his siblings: Willie (1927), John (2003), and Anne (2017), many sisters- and brothers-in-law, and by his son-in-law Ken Petkau on May 10, 2023.
Cherishing his memory are his wife Susan, children Linda, Loretta (Gord), and Les (Eileen), and grandchildren Andrea (Kevin), Amy (Jon), Adam (Jayda), Janaya (Bob), Kristy (Jason), Kaylee (Bobby), Simon (Emma), and Ellis, and great-grandchildren Jadyn, Rylee, Noah, Essa, Ellie, Magnolia, Ivan, Cooper, Theo, Eli, Grady, and Maila.
Otto took great delight in his family, which he adored, and in friends around him. Our photo albums are full of photos of him smiling and laughing together with others. We love you, and we will miss you!
We wish to express our gratitude to Dr. Kevin Earl and the amazing staff at the Red River Valley Lodge for their wonderful care and kindness.
Services for Otto Hamm will be held on Tuesday May 23, 2023 at Wiebe Funeral Home in Morden.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation.
Otto Hamm
1931 ~ 2023
It is with great sadness and tender care that the family of Otto Hamm announces his passing on May 19, 2023, at the age of 91. Otto was born in Neubergthal, Manitoba on July 6, 1931, to Peter W and Anna A Hamm. Otto was the youngest of four siblings and grew up in the village of Neubergthal which shaped him and where he formed the first of many lifelong friendships.
Otto and his future wife Susan were both baptized on May 13, 1951 in the Rudnerweider Church in Neubergthal. Two years later Otto married Susan Unger, of Edenburg, Manitoba, on June 28, 1953, and together they shared almost 70 years together. They often spoke of their deep gratitude to God for this gift of a long-shared life in God’s care.
Otto was a man of strong faith, a steadfast supporter of the church, and a firm believer in God’s extravagant love. And he was Susan’s fiercest protector, supporter, and steadfast partner, through every joy and sorrow of their life together. Otto was always either meeting old friends or making new friends everywhere he went. Even in his last days at the Red River Valley Lodge in Morris, every new person was a potential new friend. From young until old, he was intrigued with new things, new ideas, new stories, new people, and the world around him.
Otto finished grade 9 by correspondence and then left the farm to pick potatoes, load beets, work in a sugar factory, and work as an exterior plasterer. Soon after they were married, he got his first office job, starting at Red River Valley Mutual Insurance on Dec 1, 1954. On Dec 1, 1960 he started as Administrator of the Altona Hospital. On Dec 1, 1967 he started as Administrator of the Morden Hospital. And on Dec 1, 1990 he officially retired.
After the move to Morden in 1967, Otto became more and more involved in the life and work of the Morden Mennonite Church. In 1972 he was installed as a deacon, and in 1977 during a time when the church was without a lead minister, he was installed as Lay Minister as part of a three-person ministerial team for 2 years. He was also always on a committee or three, led German worship services for many years, brought services to Tabor Home and Salem Home, and, as he aged, he tried to be a strong supporter of new leaders in the church.
Something about Otto’s character that is very special to us is the fact that he was the “go to” pastor for so very many weddings and funerals. He did many different and hard funerals, for people of any denomination or no denomination. He conducted a number of funerals for Susan’s family members, and many others for people who wanted a pastor and had no church affiliation. They trusted Otto to care, and love, and preside over these holy moments with grace and care.
Otto loved to travel. Among his favourite memories are the trip he and Susan took with John and Elsie Heide to BC in 1964, shortly before John’s sudden passing. His hospital work took him to Maine, Oregon, British Columbia, Quebec, California, and many other places, each with often remembered stories.
His lifelong love of singing also afforded several opportunities to travel. His first male quartets in Altona and Morden often involved singing in nearby towns, and his many years with the Morden Men’s Choir and the Faith & Life choir took him to Germany and Mexico and several provinces, with Susan at his side.
His retirement travel interests included delivering RVs all over Canada, sometimes together with Susan, and together they enjoyed some wonderful winter holidays in Osoyoos BC.
Otto was predeceased by his parents and all three of his siblings: Willie (1927), John (2003), and Anne (2017), many sisters- and brothers-in-law, and by his son-in-law Ken Petkau on May 10, 2023.
Cherishing his memory are his wife Susan, children Linda, Loretta (Gord), and Les (Eileen), and grandchildren Andrea (Kevin), Amy (Jon), Adam (Jayda), Janaya (Bob), Kristy (Jason), Kaylee (Bobby), Simon (Emma), and Ellis, and great-grandchildren Jadyn, Rylee, Noah, Essa, Ellie, Magnolia, Ivan, Cooper, Theo, Eli, Grady, and Maila.
Otto took great delight in his family, which he adored, and in friends around him. Our photo albums are full of photos of him smiling and laughing together with others. We love you, and we will miss you!
We wish to express our gratitude to Dr. Kevin Earl and the amazing staff at the Red River Valley Lodge for their wonderful care and kindness.
Services for Otto Hamm will be held on Tuesday May 23, 2023 at Wiebe Funeral Home in Morden.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation.