Sharon Rose Otto

Sharon Rose Otto, 83, died peacefully in Sarasota, Florida with her family bedside on January 2, 2025, after a long battle with dementia. Sharon was a godly woman filled with zest for life and her optimism filled the room. She was a prayer warrior and woman of GREAT FAITH. Nothing was too hard for the Lord and all her requests were beseeching HIM to please answer in “record time”. She loved Jesus with all her heart and always took the opportunity to give God the glory, creating opportunities to share His love with those who did not know Him as their personal Lord and Savior. She and her beloved late husband, Dick, had the gift of hospitality. Their home was open especially on holidays: a haven for folks to have a holiday meal if they did not have family. Sharon enjoyed decorating and crafting. She loved to preserve memories, so she creatively made many scrapbooks for her loved ones. Sharon lit the room with her vibrant smile, personality, and flare for fashion. She was the life of any gathering, had a wonderful sense of humor, and a memorable laugh.

In addition to being a wonderful daughter, aunt, mother, grandmother and great grandmother she was an amazing, loving, sacrificial wife who adored her late husband, Richard “Dick” Otto (deceased June 5, 2021). Sharon considered herself privileged to stand by her man in all his endeavors – professionally and ministerially. Sharon was others-centered; she considered others more highly than herself. She was not afraid to jump in and come along side someone to practically help them in time of need. She spiritually mentored many women over her years as a Christian. She had the gift of discernment and prophecy. Not prophecy as in foretelling the future, but prophecy like the Nathan prophet who spoke with King David about Bathsheba. Sharon feared the Lord more than she did man. Those who knew her, knew she would go out on the limb to speak what God had shown her, and laid on her heart even if it was as uncomfortable as Nathan did when he spoke to King David. As a family we cherished her integrity, her spirit, and her love of family, friends, and even strangers.

She was born October 10,1941 in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, daughter of Nicholas W. Clayssens and Lucille H. (Gooley) Clayssens. Sharon graduated from St. Louis High School in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. She was married to George V. DeVos, Jr. from 1960 until 1978. They had two children: Lynnette Marie (DeVos) Haskins and Anthony (Tony) Patrick DeVos.

In 1978 she met the love of her life, Dick Otto, and they were married on January 20, 1979. Together, they had a blended family - adding 2 daughters: Lori Lynn (Otto) Brooks, Lisa Lynn (Otto) Hunter and 2 sons: Steven Keith Otto, and Jeffrey John Otto to comprise of what they affectionately called their own Brady Bunch.

In the 1980’s Sharon and Dick moved from Michigan to Florida. In the 90’s Dick became an Area Director with Open Doors with Brother Andrew where they traveled the southeast United States hosting fundraisers for the ministry. Additionally, throughout their lifetime together, they travelled to many states as well as multiple countries. Some travels were to smuggle Bibles, and other travel was for pleasure. Places visited were Cuba, Puerto Rico, Iran, Vietnam, China, Cayman Island, Jamaica, Haiti, Guatemala, Israel, Austria, Mexico, the Caribbean, France, Holland, England, Egypt, Romania, Germany, Hungary, and Canada.

Their ministry of serving the Lord continued into retirement and has had a lasting impact for the Kingdom of God as Calvary Chapel Villages was birthed in their living room and continues to be a thriving church in The Villages, Florida still today. Upon Sharon’s diagnosis of dementia, she and Dick moved to Sarasota to be with family.

Sharon is preceded in death by her parents: Lucille and Nicholas and by her beloved late husband: Dick. Surviving children: Lynnette (Don) Haskins, Tony (Michele) DeVos, Steve (Lisa) Otto, Lori (Ken) Brooks, Jeff (Paula) Otto, and Lisa Hunter.

Also, survived by grandchildren: Anthony P. DeVos, Jr., Joshua (Sydne) DeVos, Nathan Haskins, Stephen (Alex) Otto, Paige (Josh) Courtney, Marissa Akullian, Michael Otto, and Ciara Brooks, and great-grandchildren: Millie, Zoey, and Maddox DeVos, Miles Otto, Marlowe, Macie, and Palmer Courtney, and Emilia Camacho, and many nieces and nephews.

To sum up Sharon’s life, she was a faithful servant who lived life to its fullest – a 5’2” dynamo who lived a BIG LIFE!! We are comforted knowing that as a believer in Jesus Christ she has received her heavenly promotion.

A graveside service for Sharon will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Sarasota National Cemetery. The memorial service will follow at 12:15 PM, with a Celebration of Life luncheon to follow at Calvary Chapel Christian Fellowship, located at 3650 Webber Street, Sarasota, FL 34232. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend.