Patricia Susan Kaas
March 13, 1944 – November 28, 2024
On November 28, 2024, Patricia Susan “Pat” Kaas (nee Becks) died at her home in Arlington, Virginia. She was born in Newberry, Michigan in 1944 to Mary Albina (nee Collins) and Frederick William Becks, Jr. (“Your Standard Oil Man” in Newberry for 30 years.)
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, the love of her life, Michael; their children, Michelle (Doug-partner), Nicole (Mike), and Christopher (Kristi); and her grandchildren, Collins and Colton Kaas. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Becks (Carol) of Grayling, Michigan, two nieces and their families.
After graduating from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, Pat taught at Lincoln Junior High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Duluth Area Technical Institute. While living in Palatine, Illinois, Pat worked for Borg-Warner Educational Systems. Upon moving to Arlington, Pat became a full-time Mom while her children were in school. She volunteered in many capacities including at the local schools, Red Cross, and Scouts. Later, she became an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher at both Taylor and Oakridge Elementary Schools.
Pat and Mike shared many interests including volunteering, genealogy, travel, and vacationing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and at the Jersey Shore. On their travels, Pat “collected” lighthouses. A highlight was volunteering at her favorite, the Au Sable Light Station at the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
On Monday, January 6, 2025, 5 to 8 pm, a visitation celebrating Pat’s life will be held at the Murphy Funeral Home (4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203). On Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 10:30 am, mass will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown (3513 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20007). A private burial will take place in New Jersey.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Patricia Becks Kaas ’66 Endowed Scholarship in her honor at the College of St. Scholastica, 1200 Kenwood Avenue, Duluth, MN 55811.
Robert H. Ottenhoff
April 25, 1944 – December 14, 2024
Robert H. “Bob” Ottenhoff, 80, a longtime resident and businessman, died at his home on December 14, 2024 while under the care of his wife Janet, step son Adam, and Schoolcraft Homecare and Hospice.
Born on April 25, 1944 in Wyandotte, he was a son of the late Herman and Easter (Duval) Ottenhoff. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Grand Marais. Bob graduated from High School and in 1968 entered the U.S. Army as a Military Policeman and served in Korea until his honorable discharge.
Upon returning to the area, Bob was employed as a mechanic at Teske Motors for over 15 years. Bob left Teske Motors and formed his own company, Ottenhoff Excavating. He operated this firm until his retirement.
Bob was very civic minded. He was a member of the Newberry Fire Department for over 30 years, served as a commissioner on the Luce County Road Commission for 23 years, and was a long standing member of the Newberry Elks Lodge #1705 and the American Legion Post #74.
Bob enjoyed deer camp, bird hunting in Lewiston, fishing at his home on Round Lake, snowmobiling, scuba diving, travelling to Arizona to enjoy his camping buddies, and coffee time at McDonalds with all of his friends and his four-legged furry friends. Above all, he really enjoyed his Christian Brothers Brandy!
Survivors include his wife Janet, daughter Lisa and grandchildren Brennan (Bridget), Devon. step children Kari, Sara (Chris), Eric (Emily), Katy (Allan), Megan (Charles), and Adam. He also had several step grandchildren Seann, Tristyn, Riley, Teagan, Mila, and Jackson and another, a great grandson coming soon. Besides his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his brother William.
According to his wishes, cremation services have already been accorded. A Celebration of Life is being planned for the spring/summer of 2025. The family wishes to thank all friends who have stopped by and Schoolcraft Home Health and Hospice.
If memorials are considered, the family requests that they be made to the Newberry Fire Department.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
