Irmgard “Irmi” Gerda Otto

Irmgard Gerda Otto
January 2, 1942 – March 16, 2022
Overland Park, KS –

Irmgard “Irmi” Gerda Otto of Overland Park, Kansas passed away peacefully on March 16, 2022, surrounded by family and friends.

Irmi was born on January 2, 1942, in the picturesque town of Berchtesgaden, Germany, to Helmut Schulz and Charlotte Klein. She survived WWII and as a young teen, she developed a love of skiing, which she did competitively. She was even an alternate for the German Olympic Downhill Ski Team.

At the age of 18, Irmi’s uncle brought her to Kansas City. She watched daytime TV to learn English and she continued working diligently in the United States. She met her future husband Steve Otto at work in 1963 and they fell fast in love. Her experience and achievement working at a printing firm inspired her entrepreneurial spirit, and she ultimately started and grew her own successful business called “Irmi’s Imprints.”

Irmi and Steve were married for over 58 wonderful years. They began their family by adopting their son, Chris, and their daughter, Anita, and later gave birth to their son, Paul. As a family, they enjoyed the great outdoors, including camping, sailing, skiing, motorcycling, and time spent at “The Cabin” in the Ozarks. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was a skilled woodworker and always had a home improvement project in the works. Irmi was an avid golfer, a talented bowler, and an enthusiastic Kansas Jayhawks basketball fan.

Irmi is loved and dearly missed by her devoted husband, Steve Otto, children Chris (Julie) Otto, Anita (David) Bromage, Paul (Monica) Otto, Heather Otto, her five cherished grandchildren: Paige & Blake Otto, William & Hannah Bromage, and Morgen Otto, extended family, and countless dear friends. Her unforgettable German accent and “Irmi-isms” will live on in our memories.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 26th from 1:00-4:00 pm in the Highlands Room at St. Andrews Golf Course, 11099 W 135th St., Overland Park, KS.