Hello family, friends and those who love our dad, Otter.
Thank you for visiting our site and for your prayers and hopeful thoughts. Many know our dad; he makes friends with everyone he meets from his college days at UMD, teaching and coaching for over 30 years in Monticello, cribbage tournaments at the Senior Center, coffee at Coborns, or his many trips to the VFW. He loves so many people, and we are glad you came to visit.
Our dad was admitted to St. Cloud Hospital on April 29 when he was having trouble breathing. As many of you know, our dad has struggled with complications from Lupus for a long time. He has been in the hospital before, so this wasn't overly alarming. Dad is unique and he stumps doctors left and right, but he usually bounces back relatively quickly. Judy has been by his side as he has had countless tests and doctors. Our mom is so strong--she’s by his side constantly advocating for his health and speaking up for him when the doctors and nurses need reminders. He spent time in St. Cloud and seemed to improve when his oxygen was holding steady, so he was sent home to Monticello Hospital on a swing bed for physical and respiratory therapy to get stronger. He was thrilled to have Swedish Meatballs and cherry cobbler and many visitors. Unfortunately, he just wasn’t improving and needed to be sent back to St. Cloud on Monday. His oxygen level and strength steadily declined yesterday (May 22) and more tests were needed quickly to understand why his oxygen level was declining and not improving on its own. The lung doctor wanted to do a biopsy of the lung to take another look at what might be causing his breathing issues.
He went into this routine procedure--one he actually underwent successfully two weeks ago--to take a biopsy of his lung tissue. The doctors prepared with many tests thinking he was healthy enough and ready to undergo this procedure. Unfortunately, due to his Lupus and other health complications, nothing is ever easy for our dad.
While the lung doctor was taking the tissue from his lung, bleeding started that they couldn’t control. The doctor was shocked as this hadn’t ever happened in his 30 years of completing this procedure. Dad’s lungs were punctured and oxygen filled the space outside of his lungs. This build up of pressure caused his lungs to collapse while bleeding also continued. He had many units of blood as well as CPR for 12 minutes. We are thankful that they never lost his pulse. Luckily, St. Cloud hospital has developed a CPR “blanket” of sorts that gives perfect compressions and for this, we are grateful.
Dad is currently heavily sedated in a “coma” state. After the trauma to his body, the doctors cooled his body to lessen swelling and promote healing. He will be in this state until midnight tonight (May 23). Once the cooling process completes, they will begin slowly warming his body which could take up to 16 hours. This warming process is a critical, scary time when we don’t know what will happen. It could take up to 7 days for dad to “wake up” and we pray that he does. Please pray for him and for Judy. Pray that he will come out of this. We will continue to play his favorite music (“Mellow Folk” Radio on Amazon Music, Celtic, and the Cranberries) and share with him the kind words you all send.
He will fight like a stubborn Swede, as always. We love you, pops.
John Lee Otterson, age 66 of Monticello, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on June 5, 2019. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Harriet Otterson. His memory will live forever in the hearts of his surviving friends and family including his wife, Judy; children, Erik (Mary); Kristin (Kevin) Zalec, and Jill (Kyle) Anderson; grandchild, Luka Zalec; and his cousin “brother”, David (Carolyn) Wood.
John was raised in Cloquet, a proud Swede forever loving lutefisk, lefse, herring, and Ole and Lena jokes. After college at UMD where he met Judy, John spent his career at Pinewood Elementary in Monticello as a beloved teacher and coach for over 30 years. He loved coffee with his boys, cribbage tournaments, regular trips to the VFW, his beautiful cabin on Big Sandy Lake, and time with his family. John cherished people. Everyone loved Otter. He will be greatly missed by so many.
Visitation on Wednesday, June 12 from 5-7PM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 531 West Broadway Street, Monticello. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 13 at 11am with visitation one hour prior at the church. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Monticello VFW. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Monticello Educational and Scholarship Foundation, Make a Wish Foundation, or Lupus Research Alliance.
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