Louis K. Ottenbacher

Louis Kay Ottenbacher was born in Colville, Washington to parents George Kelso and Mary Augusta (Kilbourne) Ottenbacher on January 20, 1925. One of eight children, Louis moved with his family to Newberg, Oregon at the age of 11. He attended Dundee High School through the 10th grade and then went to work with his father in the logging business in Newberg.

In July of 1944, Lou enlisted in the US Army to serve in WWII in Germany. He drove a hay truck and hauled hay to give relief to displaced war refugees. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Following the war, he went back to work in the logging industry in Newberg where he drove logging trucks. In 1952, Lou began a 38 year career as a long haul commercial trucker. As a long-haul trucker, Lou delivered to and traveled through the 14 western states. Elaine rode along with Lou on many of his hauls and they enjoyed many memorable missions and have countless stories of their travels together.

He married Elaine (Thompson) in 1971 in Cornelius, OR. Theirs was a wonderful union. Elaine had five children and Lou had four; a special blending of two families into one. Lou and Elaine lived in St. Johns, OR until 1980 and at that time they moved to Battle Ground, WA where they remain to this day.

Lou retired from trucking in 1990. He was too much of an active person to stay fully retired, and shortly after retirement he hauled around a race car “Foolish Pleasure” for a drag racer out of Yamhill, OR.

When he wasn't out on one of his long hauls, Lou enjoyed just spending quality time visiting with family and friends. He looked forward to the annual Memorial Day picnic and family gathering at the family home in Battle Ground (occasionally held in Astoria). With enough urging, he would play his harmonica – much to the delight of his friends and family.

Lou will be remembered as a very motivated, active person and it has been said that Lou was “always doing something” and that he was not one to sit still for too long. He was always outside climbing ladders and Lou could be found working in his yard even up to his last days. He loved operating his little Kubota tractor and moving around the big rocks and dirt on his property; digging through the earth and the underbrush. He was a man of few words and some have said he was not one to smile much. Those who truly knew him would say he could be a bit of a jokester and that he was actually “smiling inside”. He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and for the love that he showed to family and friends. Lou touched the heart of every single person he met and he was adored by his brothers; sisters; nieces and nephews. Lou was an amazing man - he was a great husband, father, provider and caretaker, brother, uncle, and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Lou is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Elaine; children Louie, Steve, Jackie, George, Rocky, Robin, and Diana; 3 siblings; 23 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great grandchildren.

He is predeceased by his children Eddie and Cindy and four of his siblings.

A private gathering will be held to celebrate Lou’s life and memory.

Lou will be privately laid to rest in Skyline Memorial Gardens in the garden of the Sermon on the Mount, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd., in Portland, Oregon.

Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to American Cancer Association.