"I carried Mike for 9 months, he was my son. He was a wonderful caring son, he called me at least twice a week to check on me. When I had my kidney removed because of cancer he flew down to hold my hand and be a wonderful support. Words cannot describe what it is like to lose a son, life can deal us many things in life but not the loss of my wonderful cherished son. He will always be in my heart forever, I will love you and miss you always."
Your loving Mother
Barbara
Barbara Hayes
Mike's mother
"I met Mike when I joined Life Systems in 2007. From the start, I got the impression that Mike was a gentle and kind man. Over the past two years of knowing him, I realized what an amazing person he was. He was such a hard worker and loving husband and father. He was over the moon when he found out he was going to be a grandfather. We would always talk while he was on the road and some of his stories were truely amazing. He loved to talk. I miss those talks and hearing his voice say "Good Morning Michelle on this sunny day of the week". I miss you Mike and hope the sun always shines for you in heaven."
Michelle Weber
Life Systems International
"I was fortunate enough to meet Mike for the first time as he was scheduled for a demo at Stoughton Hospital. Mike was equally as pleasant on the phone as he was in person. Mike had an infectious personality that I immediately connected with. He treated me like a friend, not just a customer. Over the past 1.5 years I really got to know Mike, we even had the opportunity to do something together that we both were passionate about…G-O-L-F! I'll never forget that day, and all of the great discussions that we'd had. His legacy as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, salesman, and most importantly as a human being will forever last! I'll miss you Mike…your spirit lives on!!! My blessings to you and the rest of your family."
Chad J. Rateike M.S. Cardiac Rehabilitation Coordinator
Stoughton Hospital
"I was very fortunate to have known such a wonderful man. I had first met Mike some years ago while he was working with my husband, Korey. He was the most gentle, soft-spoken man I have ever met. He was so kind and made you feel like you knew him for years. He was so warm and loving to our daughter, Ella, and you could see that he was so excited to become a grandfather. Mike was one of the hardest working men that I know and always worked to his fullest potential. My husband, Korey and Mike were great friends as well as a wonderful and determined team. Mike was a loving and caring husband,father, and grandfather. He spoke of his family always and you could tell he loved them so much.I feel very blessed and fortunate to have known such an amazing man. He will be cherished in all of our hearts forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends always."
Lauren Sixbury
Life Systems International
"I was so shocked to learn about Mike's death. He was always so great about getting back to me with any problems or questions I had about equipment. He was our customer rep when I was also at Boswell Hospital in Greensboro, GA. in the 1990's. He was so kind. He'll be greatly missed."
Angela Mauldin
Putnam General Hospital
"Hello. My name is Patti Halcomb from Rockcastle Hospital in Mt Vernon, KY. I met Mike about 24 years ago when our hospital purchased Care Monitors. I can say without reservation that Mike Otte was truly a gentleman. He loved God and his family more than anything in this world. He cherished every moment that he had and lived to help others. Mike and I have prayed together many times, even over the phone. He was a Christian and wanted others to know about the Lord. Truly a gentleman."
The story...
"Mike had stopped by the hospital to see how the monitors were doing in the ICU. I said those are OK but my cardiac rehab monitor is having problems. Mike wearing his dress clothes finds a ladder, climbs up into the ceiling and finds the antenna receptor that is not working. He climbs back down off the ladder and we find a little cable to work with. He then shoots straight back up that ladder and fixes the problem. He was WONDERFUL! I will always remember Mike.
He loved his wife and his boys and all his family and was so proud of that grand baby. We will all miss Mike and our lives are richer for having known him. May God bless you."
Patti Halcomb
Rockcastle Hospital
"I was shocked to learn about the passing of a dear friend Mike Otte. Mike has called on our cardiac rehab program for more than 15 years. He sold us our original cardiac rehab telemetry computer and then upgraded it several years later. We have bought numerous transmitters and monitors from him over the years, and attended several conferences at his invitation. I always found Mike to be very gracious, knowledgeable about his products and the industry. He was always supportive of me and our program. He will be missed. My deepest sympathies to his family both at work and at home."
Sherri DeLashmit, PhD
Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi
In loving memories of Mike.
Mike was and still is the most amazing person I know. He was and always will be known as the most kindest and special Man & loving way about him. He loved life to the fullest! He traveled all over doing what he did best, He had a special passion for his business in sales. He took pride in everything he accomplished. Everybody who knew Mike, loved Mike! He touched so many hearts from the nurses & doctors, to the waitresses and cooks at his favorite breakfast place. Even to strangers Mike was a true Gentleman and the best salesman in my book. He was always on the road but his heart was always at home. When Mike was home he enjoyed each day doing what he loved. And first and most important of all he loved coming home to Shari his love of his life. He always brought something home to Shari from flowers to garden art. He always brought home his happiness, his smile, his love for his family even if he had a rough week. He loved his little and sometimes really big projects, even his to-do lists that he wanted to do. He was and still is an amazing man. He always had a smile on his face. Even though we live miles apart, when talking to him on the phone he always made sure to share his love for life. He was so proud of all his projects whether small or big. Gazebo' and a green house for Shari. His famous love walking Max and discovering another passion in life his woodwork of art Candle holder's made of special pieces of wood he would bring home from walking Max. He made 3 special pieces for his Mother Barbara Hayes his Big Sister Linda Margritz and his youngest brother, Tim Otte, who is my husband. 3 candle holders made from one piece of wood and made into 3 so each one of his family could have a piece of Mike's art work. Put all three together and it was one. He loved his family. I am blessed to have Mike as my brother-in-law. And the best sister-in-law too! I have never met a family that loved each other so much.
I truly think it was his way of showing his love for his family. We each have a piece of Mike's art that he put his heart into when making them. One thing about Mike he loved His family. He was blessed with a wife Shari they were childhood sweethearts. Who together they had a family! 2 son's Mic and Joey. Joey gave them a wonderful daughter-in-law Melissa. Joey and Melissa blessed both Mike and Shari with a Grandson Austin Michael Otte. He loved coming home and playing with Austin & Max the dog of course. I know that Mike had a passion for life and as he was also known for his love of dancing (Happy Feet). Boy did he love to dance! And as hard as it is to have lost such a special Man. And as hard as it was to loose such a special person. A Man that made everyone welcome in his home.
Here is to you Mike. Someday we will all join you and we will golf and Dance with you.
I am sure Mike would want everyone who ever had the pleasure of knowing him TO LIVE LOVE LAUGH AND KEEP ON DANCING!
In Memory of Mike! The greatest brother-in-law in the world!
You will always have a special place in my heart love your sister-in-law."
Colleen Otte
Sister-in-law
"My uncle Mike is one of the most amazing guys anyone could've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Everyone who ever had the chance to meet him knew how caring he was within 5 minutes of talking to him. He is one of my hero's for being the one anyone could count on. I have so many good memories of him that I can never forget. I remembered him just the other day eating pancakes and remembered the day we all went out for breakfast and he pulled out a jar of peanut butter for his pancakes. He always loved his peanut butter and pancakes, I think that's where I get it from. I love you Uncle Mike and miss you everyday. I will see you again someday."
Ashley Epps
Mike's Great Niece
In memory of my brother Mike.
"Sometimes life does not turn out the way we expect it to. I never expected that my brother Mike would die before me. You see we shared the same heart diease which was inherited from our father. He passed away at age 48 of a massive heart attack. I had a massive heart attack in 2001 when I was age 55 and lived. the doctors said it was a miracle because I was gone for 40 minutes. Mike and I shared about our hearts all the time, we talked for hours on how we needed exercise, the right foods and try to eliminate stress from our lives. At first I questioned why not me not my brother Mike, why did I live and not Mike, he was the most wonderful brother a sister could ever expect to have. I have so many wonderful memories of growing up on the farm, we really lived life to its fullest. When Mike married Shari I thought I finally have a "sister" to share life with and she is is a wonderful person. Our family has always been close, we always share the I love you's and hugs and kisses. My dear loving brother I will miss all that and more, just your voice on the phone and all the "windshield time" we shared for hours when you were on the road. You were an example of a fine genleman to everyone you came in contact with. I know life must go on and I need to believe you are up in heaven with dad, Mike Auburn, and all the rest of the family enjoying and sharing your life like you did here. I will cherish all the wonderful times we had together always."
Linda Margritz
Mike's sister
"Sorry to hear of Mike passing. A good man. I was glad to have meet Mr. Otte"
Fred McCulle, Biomed Dept.
St. Joseph Health Center
"We are saddened to hear of Mike's passing. He was very nice to do business with. We will miss him."
Jane Nowakowski RN & Julie Fritz RRT
St. Anthony Medical Center
"I was so shocked to hear of Mike's death. He was a kind and gentle man and I always enjoyed seeing him at cardiac rehab conferences. It was strange to attend our most recent SACPR Conference and not see his smiling face greeting me when I entered the vendor area. He will be missed!."
Kathe Briggs
East Alabama Medical Center