REFLECTIONS

This song by rocker Billy Joel has been reverberating in my head the past few days with the untimely deaths of two of our friends.

Roxanne (Roxy) Stordahl, 58, of Owatonna died on Wednesday, May 24.

Emily Otto, 72, of Ellendale, died on Friday, June 2.

Both were friends of ours and we, too, believe they are two examples of those dying too young.

We were first introduced to Roxy at the Knights of Columbus where she was a bartender. We were there to play Bingo.

Roxy was a friend to all and was known for wearing her white dress shorts and the black Owatonna KC golf shirt. She was vivacious and full of energy.

Roxy loved her job and mainly, because of the love her customers showed to her. Roxie had a fun sense of humor. After a Bingo was called, the caller would ask if there were any more Bingos.

“Nope,” she affirmed.

Roxy also started a trend of yelling “two-two” when I-22 was called.

Roxy’s husband John also worked at the KC club selling the Bingo cards. John is a close friend of Santa Claus and often would help Santa with deliveries. She also was part of her husband’s band.

Roxy worked as a certified/registered pharmaceutical technician at Sterling long-term care for 17 years, in addition to working at the KC. She was a member of the Eagles, Elks, and a social member of the KC.

She is survived by five children, 13 grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

It just doesn’t seem fair that these young people are taken from us before their time. I remember one of our ministers said just that many years ago, “It just isn’t fair.”

We got to know Emily because she and my wife Judy were only one year apart and hung around with one another when they were teenagers.

Emily married Larry Otto, and both were active in the Ellendale United Methodist Church. Both were also dedicated to other movements in their small community. Larry was state American Legion chaplain. Emily supported him in his American Legion work.

Emily was a certified speech therapist.

Emily was most friendly with everyone. She always thought more of her family’s troubles and challenges than of her own. She and Larry had two children and six grandchildren.

ALS took hold of Emily and weakened her quickly. Larry was her main care giver. She fought hard and didn’t give up. Her strong family and many friends were always at her side.

Larry died from a massive heart attack on Dec. 30, 2022.

Emily said she was going to soon join her husband in heaven, and they would then do the “Happy Dance” together.

These two strong women will not be forgotten.