Kathleen M. Otermat, 89, of Port Clinton passed away on Sept. 4 at Elmwood Communities in Fremont. She was born in Port Clinton to Pearl (Nuppenau) and Elmer Durdel. Kathy graduated from Fremont Ross High School where she was a majorette in the band in 1951. On May 16, 1952, she married the love of her life, Gladon Layne “Pete” Otermat and he preceded her in death on Oct. 8, 2006.

Kathleen was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Fremont, and an Associate member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Danbury. Her strong faith sustained her in this life.

Kathleen loved the home that she and Gladon built together, and the vibrant sunsets shining across the fields. Together, they owned and operated Otermat’s Sunoco in Bellevue from 1969-2005. Her other activities included teaching Sunday School, youth group advisor, playing the piano, and visiting shut-ins. She enjoyed being a member of the WaJaSa Farm Council and the Bide-a-Wee Farm Women. She also enjoyed writing poems, drawing pictures, playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They remember her loving heart, her magical cookie tree, her treasure chest of surprises, her imaginary airplane rides in the car, her love of chocolate, her Ohio State socks, and her generosity.

Kathy is survived by; daughters, Rev. Christina (Steven) Young and Laurie Christopher; sister, Geraldine Shimer; grandchildren, Nicholas Christopher, Jessica (James) Talbott, and Nathan (Camaron) Young; great-grandchildren, Dillon Christopher, Jordan Schaefer, Lyla Smythe, Nash Talbott, and Hannah, Elijah, Jacob, Samuel, Hope, and Liam Young; sisters-in-law, Sara Tanner and Katherine Otermat; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Gladon Otermat, brothers-in-law, Scott Otermat and Dale Shimer, and grandson, Timothy Young.

The family would like to thank Elmwood Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing of Fremont, and ProMedica Heartland Hospice Services for their compassionate care.

A Celebration of Life service was held at Grace Lutheran Church, 705 W. State Street, Fremont, OH, on Wednesday, Sept. 8. Burial was held at the Four Mile House Cemetery, Fremont.

Memorials can be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 705 West State Street, Fremont, OH 43420, or to SNAP (Supporting National African Pastors) Ministries (c/o Sara Tanner, 646 Barker Road, Fremont, OH 43420). Online line condolences may be expressed to the family at www.whhfh.com. Arrangements are being cared for by Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home.