Paula Louise Bierwagen Otto

Paula’s life centered around faith, family and friends. 

Her faith in Jesus Christ was the solid foundation of her being a child of God, unshakable, open, positive, reaching out to others with extraordinary love and kindness, unashamed to offer what the Lord meant to her and the world, never letting a day go by without a word of forgiveness, honoring what scripture says about “never letting the sun go down when there is anger and an argument.”  

Confidently Paula left everything in the loving hands of Christ especially in her last days on earth.  

For Paula, family reigned supreme. She delighted in everyone as a gift from God, precious and priceless. Smiles and laughter filled every occasion when we were together. 

For Paula, there was always enough love to go around as the family grew in numbers. No one was left without a hug. Friends were always welcome and very important not only for socializing, but also for mutual support and fellowship. With Paula’s kindness and love she reached out to all with the strength of her faith and her love to help and to be of service. 

Paula Louise Bierwagen Otto: Born July 3, 1937, in the City of Milwaukee, daughter of Paul A. and Esther (Predoehl) Bierwagen. Jesus took her to heaven on July 17, 2025.

Baptized and confirmed at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Wauwatosa, Wis.

Member and faithful servant at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Mequon, Wis., over 58 years.

Family: Married to Rev. Dr. William H. Otto, June 14, 1959, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Wauwatosa, Wis. Children: Pamela, married to David Brown; Scott, married to Beth (Haack). Two grandchildren: Paige (Kyle) Nelson and Kendall Otto (Brian Urban). Two great-grandchildren: Nathanael David Nelson and Fletcher James Nelson.

Sister Ellen (Bierwagen) Meyer with the Lord in heaven; Brother-in-law Dr. Fred Meyer; Brother Dr. Gordon P. Bierwagen; Sister-in-law Diane Bierwagen with the Lord in Heaven; Nieces Laura Meyer, Sara Bretthauer, Lisa Bierwagen and Krista Reese; Nephew Dr. Eric Bierwagen.

Vocation: Teacher, lower elementary: Cutler Ridge, Fla.; Webster Groves, Mo.; Wauwatosa, Wis.; and Mequon, Wis. Honored to be included in ‘Who’s Who In America” by her students.

Pianist and accompanist, Milwaukee A Capella Choir, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Choral Choir.

Organist, choral and bell choir director.

Sunday School superintendent.

Member of various choral groups.

Pastor’s wife with all that entails.

Grade school: Pilgrim Lutheran School, Wauwatosa, WI 1942 to 1951.

High school: Milwaukee Lutheran High, 1951 to 1955.

College: UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee 1955-1959.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 11313 N. Riverland Rd., Mequon, Wis. 

After the service, all are invited for light refreshments in the fellowship hall and to have time to talk to the Otto family.  

Paula loved her garden of flowers, enjoying the rich array of colors. We encourage all to feel free to dress casually in business attire, colorful and comfortable to reflect Paula’s love of bright flowers and grace filled life.

A special thanks to the caregivers of Willowbrook Place, Thiensville, and Bright On Hospice for their kind and compassionate care for Paula in her final months.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given to the Living Word Lutheran High School music program, 2230 Living Word Lane, Jackson, WI 53037, in Paula’s name.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Service of Mequon.