Susan Ann Otto-Siverson
Jan. 19, 1956 - Nov. 24, 2025
Susan Ann Otto-Siverson was born to Alice (Zinniel) and Raymond Otto on January 19, 1956 at Wiener Memorial Hospital in Marshall, Minnesota. She was the fifth of nine siblings. She was baptized at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and attended the Holy Redeemer Catholic School till the 8th grade. She graduated from Marshall Senior High in 1974. Sue attended Arizona State University where she was a member of Beta Phi, and received her Bachelors in Arts in Education in 1983. She was married to Kirby Sampson; their daughter Jacqueline was born in Mesa, Arizona in 1981.
Sue and Kirby moved back to Minnesota, living in St. Paul till they purchased land and built a hobby farm in Lake Elmo. Kirby passed away on August 31, 1992. Sue continued her education at University of Wisconsin River Falls where she got her Masters of Science Education in 1996. She later remarried on June 1, 1996 to Neil Siverson after being introduced by a family friend. She had her first son, Patrick in 1997 and second son, James in 1999. In 2003 Sue and Neil flew to China to adopt their daughter, Joey. Sue taught special education in St. Paul public schools for 20 years while residing in Lake Elmo on their farm. She kept and raised horses, goats, chickens and more. She was involved in many horse clubs and associations as well as trained her own foals in her spare time. She was an avid gardener throughout her life. In her younger years Sue enjoyed photography and spending time with her family at Lake Sylvia. Sue died suddenly on November 24, 2025 due to heart complications.
She leaves behind her husband Neil, her children Jacqueline, Patrick, James, and Joey, as well as grandson Kai and step children Jared and Jill. Sue is survived by her siblings Bill (Terri), Mary, Ray Jr., and Pat (Tami) as well as in-laws Wendy and Kerry and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her late husband Kirby, and her siblings Greg, Barb, Paul, and Kristin.
A Celebration of Life for Sue will be held on July 11, 2026 in Chaska at the University of Minnesota Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318, 3-7 pm in Margot picnic shelter B. This Celebration of Life is in conjunction with Sue’s sister, Barb Otto’s Celebration of Life, who passed away on November 19, 2025 just five days before Sue’s death.