Otto John Scheffelmaier was born November 13, 1913 in Borodino, Bessarabia, South Russia to Christof and Carolina (Zeh) Scheffelmaier. In 1914, he immigrated with his parents to Castor, Alberta, Canada. Two years later the family relocated to America. Otto and his father, Christof, arrived in Elgin, North Dakota December 10, 1916. He grew up on the John Zeh family farm. As a young man, Otto worked for Paul Ackerman and also served a term in the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) working as a powder man clearing and building roads in Idaho.

Otto married Louise Birkholz May 31, 1939 in Heil, North Dakota. From the time they were married until 1950, Otto and Louise lived and worked on a number of farms and ranches in the area working for O.W. Meyer, Frank Bleick, and Ernest Kemnitz. In 1950, they moved to Heil, North Dakota. He started work on the Milwaukee Railroad and both were custodians at the Heil School.

Otto and Louise became members of the Peace Lutheran Church in Heil in 1953. When the church was destroyed by fire in August 1965, they became members of Zion American Lutheran Church in Elgin. In 1965, they moved to Elgin and Otto became head custodian at the Elgin Public School.

In retirement, Otto enjoyed working in the yard and went fishing whenever he thought the weather was reasonable. His sons-in-law agree that Otto was the best fisherman with whom they had ever fished. Most of the time, he would catch all the fish they brought home.

Otto was a life-long resident of the Heil and Elgin area. He lived in his home alone for 11 years after Louise's passing when he began making rugs on his loom. He sold some of them, but mostly gave them away as gifts.

In September of 2009 and at nearly 96 years of age, he decided to move to Dakota Hill Housing in Elgin. Otto enjoyed living there and is grateful for the care given him by the staff.

In September of 2013, Otto entered the JMHCC Swing Bed/Nursing Home. He decided this on his own as he felt he was no longer able to fully take care of himself. He said everyone was good to him and were always there when he needed them. With failing health, Otto passed away on November 2, 2013 in Elgin, ND.

Survivors include his four daughters: Coleen (Gerald) Roth and Audrey (Norm) Roth both from Mandan, ND; Joleen (Doug) Rivinius, Elgin, and Jolette (Ronn) Fuchs, Jamestown, ND.

9 grandchildren: Garry (Carol) Roth and Michele (Jerry) Trotter, both of Fargo, ND; Stacy Roth, Cheyenne, WY; LeAnn (Scott) Osadchuk, Mandan, ND; Nicole (Cory) Mack, Pettibone, ND; Ryan (Carey) Rivinius, Carson, ND; Josh Rivinius (Gwen Bohmbach), Elgin, ND; Timothy (Tammi) Fuchs, Cheyenne, WY and Amy Tarno, Elgin, ND.

18 great grandchildren: Ben (Laura) Roth, Jessica Roth, Katherine Roth, Zachary Trotter, Ellen Trotter, Lindsey Trotter, Lucas Roth, Caitlyn Osadchuk, Paige Osadchuk, Cody Mack, Calli Mack, Cierra Mack, Halle Rivinius, Bree Rivinius, Shayli Rivinius, Jace Rivinius, Dylan Tarno, and Emily Fuchs.

He is also survived by one half-sister Martha Bettgar, Bismarck, ND.

Preceding him in death were his parents, wife Louise, two infant children Otto Joel and Vickie Lee, one granddaughter, Jill Roth, and several brothers and sisters.

Serving as pallbearers are his 9 grandchildren, Garry Roth, Michele Trotter, Stacy Roth, LeAnn Osadchuk, Timothy Fuchs, Nicole Mack, Ryan Rivinius, Amy Tarno, Josh Rivinius. All of Otto's family and friends are considered honorary bearers.

The Funeral Service for Otto will be held at 10:00am MT, Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin. Pastor Bob Edwards will officiate with burial in Peace Lutheran Cemetery at Heil.

A Family Service will be held at 7:00pm on Tuesday evening at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin.

Visitation will be on Tuesday from 1:00 to 7:00pm at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home.