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Randolph community honors beloved farmer Jay Otte
The small town of Randolph is coming together to honor the memory of Jay Otte, a man known for his generosity and dedication to the community as a third-generation farmer.
RANDOLPH, Minn. (FOX 9) - The small town of Randolph is coming together to honor the memory of Jay Otte, a man known for his generosity and dedication to the community.
A community mourns
What we know:
Jay Otte, a third-generation farmer, expanded his family's dairy operation from a 60-cow barn to a 500-head farm. His contributions went beyond farming, as he was deeply involved in the local school board and community activities.
The funeral procession for Otte was a heartfelt tribute, with the route lined by tractors, trucks, and combines as a sign of respect and gratitude. This rural equivalent of a state funeral showed the immense community support for him.
A lasting legacy
What they're saying:
"Everybody love him. He is the most selfless person that you’d ever meet," said Dennis Mulvihill, Otte's son-in-law. His son, Scott Otte, added, "Dad, you’ve given us so many memories, laughs, life lessons."
Otte's funeral had to be moved to a larger church to accommodate the 600 people who came to pay their respects, a testament to his impact in a town of only 400 residents.
What we don't know:
The specific cause of Jay Otte's passing has not been disclosed.