Jennie Irene Ott , 100, a centenarian formerly of Churubusco, passed away at 11:35 a.m. Monday, April 21, 2025, at Timbercrest Senior Living, North Manchester.

Born on August 4, 1924, in Morrill, Kansas, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Arthur F. and Alta R. (Harrison) Morris.  The family moved many times because her father was a Brethren minister and a school teacher.  Locating in Garrett, Indiana, Irene graduated from Garrett High School in 1942.  She continued her education at Manchester College in North Manchester, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Home Economics and Psychology.

Soon after taking a job with the Whitley County Welfare Dept., she began dating Ronald H. Ott, a widower with a small child.  The two were wed on September 5, 1948, beginning their 66-year journey together, raising five children.  They made their home on a farm in Noble County.  Ronald died on October 3, 2014.

A dedicated farm wife, she managed the household, keeping the kids well fed and making their clothes.  During the planting and harvesting season, she would take the kids along with the meal out to the work fields so her husband could have a meal with the family, leaving a lifelong memory of family time together.  She always had a large vegetable garden and canned and froze the produce for use throughout the year.

As the children had grown, Irene substitute taught for the Central Noble School Corp and Smith-Green Schools for about 20 years.

She was a member of the Blue River Church of the Brethren, transferring to the Columbia City Church of the Brethren in 2022, but her heart remained at Blue River.

Through the years, the family enjoyed spending time at Camp Alexander Mack in Milford, making homemade ice cream in the summer, and gathering to celebrate the holidays at other times of the year.

Surviving are her children Ronald "Keith" Ott of Kimmell, Rosella "Elaine" (Michael) Franklin of Corvallis, OR, and Jim R. Ott of Albion; grandchildren, Adam, Ethan, & Lindsey Ott, Sam (Becca Creath) Ott, Jennie (Gudman) Sanchez; and a great-grandchild, Kaydon Sanchez.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by sons, John and Kim Ott, and brothers, Leo and Arden Morris.

The funeral service is 3 p.m. Sunday (April 27th) at the Blue River Covenant Brethren Church, 3040 E 700 N, Columbia City.  Visitation is from 2 p.m. until the service at the church.  Burial is at the Christian Chapel Cemetery in Merriam.  Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Memorials in Irene's honor are to Camp Alexander Mack or Timbercrest, North Manchester.