Sgt Maj Ret Mabel Annie Rosa Otten's Obituary
SgtMaj Otten was preceded in death by her parents George and Emma (nee Peterson) Otten; three brothers: Edgar, Harold, and Harvey Otten; four sisters: Alma Otten, Adelia Mees, Elenora Newton, and Ottilda Kossina; and four nieces and two nephews: Irene Baltz, Mary Divers, Roy Mees, Doris Millhouse, Arthur Dean Newton, and Shirley Todd. Surviving are her sister, Pearl Brinley, her beloved friend Raymond Kempf, seven nieces and one nephew: Charlene Jacobs, Cheryl Hicks, Geraldine Schaefer, Gwenda Capper, Nancy Ferguson, Norman Dale Newton, Sandra Herling, and Sharon Burnes; and numerous great- (and greatgreat-) nieces and nephews. SgtMaj Otten enlisted in the USMC 16 May 1944. She served during WWII and was discharged following demobilization of the WomenÆs Reserve in 1946. She reenlisted in the reserve in 1947, returned to active duty in 1948 and subsequently integrated into the Regular Marine Corps where she eventually became the 4th Sergeant Major of Women Marines on 1 August 1969. In 1972 she transferred to Fleet Reserves and retired after 30 years of service on 1 Feb 1975. SgtMaj Otten enjoyed traveling, dancing, gardening, spending time with her family and friends, and entertaining them with stories about her life and experiences. Memorials may be made in Mabel's name to Hospice of Southern Illinois.
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