Otto Bechtold

Otto Bechtold was born June 13, 1925 in Eureka, South Dakota a son of Edward and Christine (Rueb) Bechtold. Otto moved with his family to a farm near Willard, attending elementary school. His family later moved to Plevna, where he attended school, graduating from Plevna High School in 1943. Shortly after high school, Otto worked briefly on the farm for his brother Ted. He then attempted to enlist in the military but because of poor eyesight he was not accepted. He found, however, that if he worked for a short period of time at the Kaiser Shipyard in Vancouver, Washington, helping build battleships for the War, the army would accept him. He entered the military in 1945 and was honorably discharged in late 1946. In 1949, Otto began working for Jacobson Construction building grain elevators. The job took him to Ross, North Dakota, where he met his future wife, Echoe Hjelmeland. They were married on September 23, 1950. They moved to Baker where Otto went to work for the next 35 years at the Chevrolet Garage under Red Keirle and later, Bob Dahlman and Gary Agler. He then worked at Randash Motors for 6 years, before retiring in 1991. Otto?s passions in life were his wife, Echoe, his family, watching the Baker Spartans, the Duke Blue Devils, collecting petrified wood for his garden and playing golf. He was one of a few to accomplish a hole-in-one. Otto was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Christine Rueb Bechtold; sisters, Anna, Ottilia and Estella; brothers, John, Herbert, and Ted. Otto is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Echoe; sons Brian (Lisa) Bechtold of Kalispell, Dennis (Cheryl) Bechtold of Belgrade; a daughter Kristy Jo (Rollin) Rieger of Belgrade; six grandchildren Julia Bechtold, Kalispell; Sarah Bechtold, Spokane; Kristen (Brandon) Steadman, Belgrade; Ryan Rieger, San Francisco; Kami Rieger (D. J. ) Bramlette, Idaho Falls; Kraig Rieger, Anaconda; and three great grandchildren Karsen Bramlette, Adyson and Aiden Steadman; as well as a sister, Martha and three brothers, Ben, Robert and Edwin. A memorial service will be held at the Peace Lutheran Church in Belgrade on Tuesday, August 21 at 11:00 a. m. Condolences may be sent to Echoe Bechtold in care of Dennis Bechtold, 92 Stockton Way, Belgrade, MT 59714. Donations in Otto?s name may be sent to the American Lutheran Church in Baker, Montana or the Fallon Medical Complex in Baker, Montana.


Burial Date: August 21, 2012
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Memorial Service: Tuesday, Peace Lutheran Church, Belgrade, MT