Sister Donna Otter died May 19, 2026, at Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia, KS. She was 87 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph for 67 years. She was born in Clayton, KS on September 22, 1938 to Frank and Margaret Bates Otter, the fifth of eight children, and was baptized Donna Regina. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, Concordia, Kansas on September 8, 1958. On March 18, 1959, Donna received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Frances de Chantal, later returning to her baptismal name Donna. She pronounced first vows on March 19, 1960 and final vows on March 19, 1963.

Sister Donna received her BA in psychology from Marymount College in 1963. Donna taught schools staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Aurora and Chicago, IL; and in Oakley, KS. From there she joined the first mission in Brazil for the next 28 years serving in the Administration of the Mission and a member of the Formation Team. She returned to the U.S. in 1993 for an extended stay but returned to Brazil in 2005 for another 10 years. She served in El Paso at the Hospitality House and in Junction City at the Open Door Homeless Shelter. In 2018 Sister Donna retired to the Motherhouse in Concordia, KS

Sister Donna was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and three brothers. She is survived by one sister. A Bible Vigil Service will be held May 23 at 9:00 a.m. in the Nazareth Motherhouse Chapel with Sister Alexsandra da Silva as the eulogist. The Mass of Christian Burial will be May 23 at 10:30 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel with Rev. Barry Brinkman presiding. The burial will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Chaput-Buoy Mortuary, 325 W. 6th St., Concordia, KS is in charge of arrangements. Memorials for Sister Donna Otter may be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/ Retirement Fund or the Apostolic Works of the Sisters; P.O Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901.