Marta Mathilde Otero, 96

Marta Mathilde Otero (nee Brog) passed away Jan. 6, 2020, in Coeur d’Alene after a brief illness. Marta was born Aug. 21, 1923, in Stechelberg, Switzerland.

Marta grew up in the village of Stechelberg in the Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland. She was the second of five children born to Johann and Marta Brog (nee von Allmen). She was educated in a one-room schoolhouse in Stechelberg and, in one instance, survived an avalanche that crashed into the schoolhouse.

As was the custom at the time, after confirmation, young adults at age 16 were sent to another part of the country to learn that area’s language (Switzerland utilizes three languages — German, French and Italian). Marta was sent to work in the French part of Switzerland (Geneva) to learn French. Escalation of World War II interfered with her language studies and work and she moved to Zurich, where she worked in a teahouse owned by Lindt & Sprungli Chocolatiers.

Marta had an adventurous spirit which led her to move to the United States in 1952. She sailed on the SS Ryndam, which sailed from Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Aug. 9, 1952, and arrived in New York nine days later. After moving to the United States, Marta obtained U.S. citizenship and lived in various states, including Florida, Texas, New York, Washington, Kentucky, and finally she settled in New Jersey, where she lived from 1956 to 1991. In 1991 she moved to Montana, and then to Idaho, to be closer to her children. Marta chose to settle in Coeur d’Alene in 1994, stating that the scenery reminded her of Switzerland.

Marta enjoyed outdoor activities. In her youth, Marta’s activities included mountain climbing, bicycling and hiking. In fact, she had been nicknamed the “Kilometer Eater” because of her long-distance bicycling. While raising her family, she would seek out areas to explore and take them hiking on weekends.

Marta never lost her enjoyment of physical activities. She continued to bicycle well into her late 70s and hiked into her late 80s. In her later years she enjoyed watching many sports, including ice skating, tennis and baseball. She was an avid fan of the Seattle Mariners.

Marta loved pastries, fine chocolate and chamomile tea. She never let one of her children’s friends leave her house hungry, always sharing a meal. She will always be remembered for her grace and kindness. She had no tolerance for prejudices. Mom had a worldview, and she loved maps and looking up places on the world map that were mentioned on the news. She was always interested in world events and maintained a subscription to National Geographic until her death, reading it cover to cover.

Marta was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Hans, Fritz, Lottie and Nellie; and an infant daughter, Marta Elizabeth. She is survived by her three daughters: Elanore, Vivian and Sylvia; eight grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Though Marta had traveled the world, the most important things in her own world were her children, and later her grandchildren and their children! She saw and experienced more things in her lifetime than any of us can imagine. She is loved and will be greatly missed and remembered by many. Her beautiful spirit will forever live in our hearts.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens, 7315 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene. Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Marta’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, please tip your server an extra 20 percent the next time you go out.