Gilda Jean Otte

Gilda Jean Otte of Maryville, MO, was born May 18, 1927 to Carroll "Cad" and Mildred (Chapin) Perkins, in Malvern, Iowa. She passed away in Maryville on April 26, 2026 at Oak Pointe Assisted Living. 

After graduation she moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa where she worked in an attorneys office then received a notice to come for interview for a civil service job in the ration office and worked there until the ration office closed. She moved to Omaha, Nebraska and worked at Mutual of Omaha until she was married and moved to Sidney, Iowa where she worked for the State of Iowa for 16 years. After moving to Missouri she worked for the State of Missouri and Williams Lawn Seed.

She married Robert (Bob) L. Myers January 26, 1947 and moved to a farm north of Sidney, Iowa. This marriage was blessed with three children, Pamela, Roberta (Bobbi), and Kristie. Robert (Bob) passed away March 18, 1976. July,1979 Gilda married Jack Otte and moved to Maryville, MO. Jack passed away April 29, 2022. Gilda was also preceded in death by her daughter Kristie in 1969, her parents, her brother Jack Perkins, sister Patricia Sievers , step son Roger Otte, step great grandchild, Erick Fadness, maternal grandparents Clarence and Josephine Chapin, and paternal grandparents Zopher and Louisa Perkins.

Gilda took night classes for social service work and earned an Associate Degree. She also took real estate and real estate appraisal classes and was licensed to sell real estate in the state of Iowa. 

In 1979, Gilda married Jack Otte. Jack passed away April, 2022. Gilda is survived by two daughters Pamela (Gary) Williamson of Atchison, Kansas, and Roberta (David) Schaaf of Sidney, Iowa and two stepdaughters, Janis (David) Ketcher of Des Moines, Iowa, and Susan (Norman) Townsend of Waco, Texas. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Gilda was a member of the Methodist Church in Sidney. 54 year member of Eastern Star, 78 year member of American Legion Auxiliary, having served as President of the Unit 128, Sidney, Iowa, and past 7th District President of the Auxiliary. She was a 43 year member of PEO Chapter KP, Maryville, MO.

Throughout their marriage Jack and Gilda loved to travel and spent many years traveling to locations in the states and abroad. They especially liked cruises, including dancing across the ocean with the Les Brown Band.

Gilda loved playing cards, especially bridge and enjoyed playing in tournaments. Her claim to fame in bridge was when she and Jack played in an Omaha bridge tournament and won a game against Bill Gates and his "hired pro".

Gilda loved her family and enjoyed attending events of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, traveling to Nebraska, Iowa, Texas, New Mexico, and, Georgia, to do so.

The visitation will be May 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Bram Funeral Home with the memorial service to follow at 11:00 AM at the same location. The burial will take place the same day at Nodaway Memorials Gardens.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the workers at Oak Pointe and Three Oaks Hospice here in Maryville.

Arrangements are under the care of Bram Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to PEO Chapter KP or Three Oaks Hospice.

Gilda's legacy of style, grace, love, and kindness will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew her.