Obituary

Barbara J. “Bobbie” Ott, 74, was called to the Lord on Oct. 8 from her home in Neosho.

Bobbie was born on March 20, 1936, to Lester and Edna (Gates) Long of Potwin. At an early age, Bobbie and the family moved to Wichita, where she attended North High School as part of the class of 1954. On April 20, 1958, Bobbie was blessed with the birth of her daughter and only child, Deanna, whom she loved very much. One of the best days of Bobbie’s life was May 20, 1962, when she married the love of her life, Franklin “Junior” Ott in Newkirk, Okla. In 1965, Bobbie, Junior and Deanna moved to a small farmhouse on Southeast 48th Street, just outside of Newton. For the next several years, they would turn that small, rundown farmhouse into a beautiful home that was the envy of many. Bobbie worked for several businesses in Newton, including Holstine Motors, Prairie View, Weyerhaeuser and Ott’s Body Shop, which she and Junior owned. In 1995, Bobbie and Junior decided to leave the home they had built for so many years. They moved to Neosho, where once again they turned a small house out in the country into a warm and inviting home. During her life, Bobbie had many interests including riding horses, painting, traveling, cooking, classic cars and fishing. By far, her favorite interest was riding horses. From the time she was a little girl, Bobbie loved horses. Bobbie was a very accomplished rider and a member of the Newton Saddle Club for many years. She often rode with and on occasion competed against her daughter Deanna. Her favorite horse was a handsome palomino named Cheyenne she had for more than 30 years. Bobbie also had a passion for classic cars and hot rods. She loved to attend car shows and to go on rod runs with the local car clubs. Bobbie and Junior actually first met while drag racing down Douglas Avenue in Wichita. Few things brought a bigger smile to her face than when she and Junior went for a ride in their 1937 Ford pickup.

Bobbie will live on in the hearts of her survivors, who include her husband, Franklin of Neosho; daughter, Deanna Takemire of Newton; grandson, Blaine Takemire of Newton; and sister, Maye Grow of Peoria, Ill.

Bobbie requested there be no formal graveside services. Only immediate family will gather at her gravesite. There will be a celebration of her life from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the home of her grandson, Blaine Takemire, 511 Myrtle St. in Newton. Those who knew Bobbie are invited.