Theodore Otterson, 81

Theodore W. Otterson, loving husband and father, passed into eternal life on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at his home in Post Falls. After a year-long battle with cancer, he passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife and both sons.

Ted, as he was known to his family and friends, was the son of Palmer and Mamie Otterson, long time farmers in the prairie northwest of Post Falls. Born on April 9, 1930, in Wallace, Ted and his sister Barbara were raised on the Post Falls family farm that was homesteaded by their grandparents in 1906. There they both attended school and following in the foot steps of their father, who graduated in 1916, became second generation graduates of Post Falls High School.

After graduating from high school in 1949, Ted continued to help his parents farm and then began what became a 41-year career with Kaiser Aluminum at the Trentwood plant in the Spokane Valley. In 1950, he met and married the love of his life, Vera Drapeau, of Coeur d'Alene. In September of this year, Ted and Vera lovingly celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.

Ted's marriage and career were both interrupted in 1951, when he was called to the service of his country. As part of the U.S. Army's 24th Infantry, he went off to combat in the Korean War and served the majority of his two-year military service in both Korea and in Japan during the American occupation. Following his honorable discharge in 1952, he returned to Post Falls, his marriage and career at Kaiser and together with Vera raised their two sons. Even with his full-time career at Kaiser, Ted helped his father farm the family homestead until finally taking it over full time after his father passed away in 1984.

Ted's boyhood dream had been to become a pilot, which he accomplished in 1949, and actively flew the majority of the rest of his life. His passion for flying spread to both his sons and eventually his wife, Vera, as well. In 1964, they built a small private airstrip on the family farm and for the next 40 years kept and maintained airplanes there. It was known as Otterson Ranch and Ted and Vera soon built a reputation among close pilot friends of having the best homemade pies, toasted cheese sandwiches and coffee in the Inland Northwest. Friends with airplanes were frequently seen dropping in to sample Vera's finest pies and toasted cheese sandwiches.

Among Ted's other hobbies and interests were restoring old cars, boating, motorcycles, and building many machines and tools from the various parts and equipment that had accumulated on the homestead for more than 100 years. People would come from miles around to see some of his creations and over the years many comments were made by visitors that his collection was more like a museum than a working farm.

Ted loved nothing more than to be out working in his shop, farming the land, and tending to livestock. He could be seen every day out in the field or in his shop wearing his trademark jeans jacket and red felt hat.

Ted is survived by his wife, Vera, his two sons, Jeff Otterson, of Kennewick, Wash., and Greg Otterson, of Shanghai, China, his sister Barbara Tokarski, of Texas, and his faithful companion Bandit the wonder dog.

Services will be held at English Funeral Chapel 1700 N. Spokane St., in Post Falls, at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011. Please sign Ted's guest registry and view online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.