Alice Ayers Schmidt Otten, a beloved friend, mentor, and teacher passed away on August 6. 2010.
On April 12, 1918, she was born in Estancia, NM to Fred and Mira Ayers. Alice was the baby sister to three brothers. The Ayers were a self-sufficient, homesteading family who provided an educational foundation, which Alice dedicated her life to sharing with everyone she encountered.
Alice graduated from her parents’ alma mater, the University of Kansas, in 1941 with a degree in Botany and Biology, and with minors in English, Social Sciences, and Education. There she met her future husband Robert Schmidt, her botany instructor. After they married on June 6, 1943, Alice pursued graduate studies while teaching high school biology in each community where they lived, ranging from Washington,D.C. to Los Angeles, to Helena, MT. Robert passed away in February of 1968. On October 18, 1972, Alice married Robert E. Mike Otten in Helena; he passed away a year and four months after their marriage.
For nearly forty years, Alice was a master teacher—she cared not only about conveying the material to be learned but also about developing each student’s work ethic, character, and integrity. As the faculty advisor for the 3-7-7’s for 28 years, she encouraged students to hone their leadership skills, scholastic achievements, and community service. She not only invested her time and love in her students but also generously supported their national and international travel to promote their education.
She was an active member of her profession by giving her time and talent to national teaching associations, including Alpha Delta Kappa. Alice’s life exemplified the values she taught her students. She enriched the Helena community through her service, ranging from the Daughters of the American Revolution, to United Way, to the Lewis and Clark County Weed Board. She insisted that everything be done correctly, because she always carefully attended to the details of each of her projects. She loved learning about the cultures of other places and traveled all over the world. Until the very end, her mind was brilliant and curious.
Alice was an active and dedicated leader of Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church. Her life is truly an example for all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her husbands, parents, two brothers, and two step-daughters. Surviving Alice is her brother, Edgar Ayers of Battle Creek, MI; brother-in-law Roland Schmidt, of North Newton, KS; her many nieces, nephews; step-grandchildren; two stepdaughters, Joy Shellenberg of Bozeman and Dorothy Peterson of Helena; and her dear friend Mary Lois Sanford of Helena.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Saturday, August 21, 2010, at the Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church with luncheon to follow. After the luncheon, the burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be sent to Intermountain Children’s Home or God’s Love. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com
Matt Weber says
I was a student in Alice’s Science class in 1982-1983. She was a great educator and helped me graduate from Helena High by driving me to do well. As a result I upped my GPA. I remember how she related to the class a recent trip to China she had taken. She enthusiastically showed us pictures and described all of the wonderful sights she had seen. Mrs Otten is definitely one of the Distinguished Educators you hear so much about these days. There must be many stories like mine about her. I am sure she will be missed by the many people whose lives she touched.
Marlayna Schmidt says
I’ve known Alice since I was a little girl, when she and her first husband, Robert, would visit my family in Boston, Massachusetts. (Robert and my father, Sam, were brothers.) Even after Robert died in 1968, Alice would continue to visit us–often on her way back from more exotic places, like Russia or Egypt. Aunt Alice would always bring my sister and me a souvenir from her travels. I will always remember her generosity.
john ilgenfritz says
I have many memories of Alice, but the one that stands out is when I saw her at a Governor’s Prayer Breakfast. I had not been at church for 9 months or so and the first thing she said to me, “why haven’t you been in church? I have missed you”. She is quite a lady. I will miss her.
Crystal Wong Shors says
Smart and serious, Mrs. Schmidt Otten expected the best anyone could produce. Knowing her first in her role as a teacher, and later as a shopper in my antiques store, she was consistent in her expectations. She touched many lives and will be remembered fondly.
Marlene Conner says
Alice has been a friend for many years, she was teaching when I was in high school. She was also a dear friend to my mother-in-law and the three of us had a lot of fun playing pinochle. Many students were better people because of her. She will be missed.