Marianne Ott

Marianne Ott (b. December 10, 1925; d. August 15, 2024) lifelong Oregonian and longtime Gresham resident has died of age-related causes. Born in Portland to Walter H. and Florence Holmes Gerke, renowned landscape architects in Portland, Marianne attended Catlin Gabel and later Lincoln High School. She continued her education at Oregon State Agricultural College (now Oregon State University) and went on to pursue a career in teaching. She taught high school, first in Bend, Oregon (where she could pursue her avid love of skiing) and then moved to Gresham, Oregon, where she taught at Gresham Union High School. It was there she met her husband, David Ott, and the two of them married in 1951. She continued her educational pursuits at Reed College and got a master’s degree in the History and Structure of the English Language (the basis of her reputation for heavy use of her red editing pen!). She taught a variety of classes at Gresham High including English, French and pottery though her first love was the French language. She taught generations of students there and many of these former students went on to become dear lifelong friends (she called them her Foreign Legion). She ended her career as Chair of the Language Department.

David Ott died in 1986 and in 1990, Marianne found another person to share her life with, Lloyd Slagle (d. June 17, 2020). Together, they traveled both locally and around the world. In addition to travel, Marianne was active in the community and was a long-time volunteer for the Gresham Art Committee.

She loved the outdoors, was a lifelong member of the Mazamas and was one of the first women to receive the coveted 16 Peaks Award. Although she gave up mountain climbing in her 50s, she continued to hike, swim and stay active outdoors including tending to her three acres. In addition, she grew her artistic skills by focusing on woodworking, painting and pottery. She sold her “Ott’s Pots” at local Starving Artists venues in Multnomah and Clackamas counties, specializing in lamps, bird feeders and butter dishes.

Marianne leaves behind a daughter, Kerri Nelson, two granddaughters, Shaleen Miller and Kacey Stephens and five great-grandchildren (Emery, Cameron, Rhys, Keegan and Everly).

She requested no service, and final arrangements are being handled by Bateman Carroll Funeral Home. Marianne requested that contributions be made to the Start Making a Reader Today program in lieu of flowers.