Darrald Rai Ottosen was born July 19, 1942 in Shell Lake, Wisconsin to Ernie and Lavonne (Jacobson) Ottosen. Darrald graduated from Shell Lake High School in 1960. After High School, Darrald joined the Navy as an Airplane Mechanic and served at Midway. After the military, Darrald returned home where he met Mary Ellen Johnson; they married and made their home in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, where he worked at the Arsenal in Arden Hills as a Machinist. In 1966, while living in Coon Rapids, they welcomed their first born, Mike.

In 1973, the family moved to Amery, Wisconsin, and Darrald worked at Doboy Packaging and worked his way up to Manufacturing Engineer. During this time in 1974, they welcomed their second son, David. Darrald retired in 2001 after 30 years of employment at Doboy.

In 2003, Mary passed away from a fast-moving illness. With the sudden loss of Mary, Darrald moved back to his childhood hometown, Shell Lake. In 2005 on a trip to China, he met his life partner, Janice Dana. Since that trip, they were inseparable and went on many trips around the world. During the summer of 2024, Darrald sold his house in Shell Lake and bought a house in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Every year, Janice and Darrald would Winter in Arizona and Summer in Shell Lake.

Darrald had a passion for being a Machinist and a perfectionist. He also built and restored hit-and-miss engines, and he even made engines to scale. Darrald loved to go to the Threshing Bee’s around the area to watch all the old engines and other machines of the day. He had an impressive workshop where he loved to work on his many projects.

Darrald enjoyed summer fishing, ice fishing, and deer hunting. Darrald made many trips to Sturgis with many friends over the years. He loved to travel the world and got to see many places, but many were left unseen.

Darrald loved to watch his grandchildren at their school events.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernie and Lavonne Ottosen, and his wife, Mary Ellen Ottosen.

Darrald is survived by his life partner, Janice Dana; his sons, Mike (Kristi) and David (Erica); grandchildren, Trent & Amber Ottosen and Evan & Emma Ottosen; great-granddaughter, Ayla Ottosen; brother, Bob (Chris) Ottosen; and sister, Connie (Jim) Mommsen.

Darrald will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A visitation will take place on Thursday, September 26, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, WI. Darrald’s funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Friday, September 27, 2024 at Williamson-White Funeral Home, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Amery, WI.

Last Update: Sep 23, 2024 3:04 pm CDT