Tanya Kay Larson Otto

Tanya Kay Larson-Otto, 69, of North Vernon, passed away at 3:32 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at St. Vincent Jennings Hospital.

Born September 20, 1956, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the daughter of the late Rudolph V. and Jo Anne (Driver) Barber. She married Donald Otto on June 20, 1989, in Lansing, Michigan; he survives.

Tanya was a 1973 graduate of El Dorado High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corp for 3 years. Tanya worked as an executive secretary for Norman Hobbs and Bunzo Papercraft, both in Arizonia. She was the first woman in the military to fire an M16 Rifle (sharpshooter), was involved in self defense classes and feeding the homeless during holidays. Tanya enjoyed many things in life, and her husband was her rock. She loved her cats, Hamilton, Aspen, and Wednesday and her roses; her favorite color was purple, and her favorite songs were, Moody Blues – “For My Lady”, Bob Seger – “Shame on the Moon”, Robert Plant – “Big Log”, and any Neil Diamond song. Tanya also enjoyed reading, butterflies, shamrocks, and sitting on her porch watching birds and making windchimes.

Survivors include her loving husband, Donald; her son, Louis Kelemen IV; her daughters, Ashley (Bridgette) Otto-Thompson, Amber (Ray) Smith and her family, Samantha Branscome, and Tiffany Fleck and her family; brother, David (Penny) Barber; grandchildren, Ray Ray Smith II, Ryan Smith, and Bella Thompson. 

She was preceded in death by her parents,

In keeping with her and her family’s wishes cremation is planned with no services to be held at this time. Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Service was entrusted with the care of these arrangements.

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