Obituary of Fannie Ott

Fannie (Athos) Ott went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 14, 2020 surrounded by her family in Kennewick, WA. She was born on February 20, 1933 in Walla Walla, Washington to Flossie Athos and Julius Loux , the youngest of five children. Fannie grew up in Attalia near Wallula, WA and graduated from Columbia High School as the class Valedictorian in 1950. She attended Central Washington College, earning a degree in education in 1953. She obtained her first teaching job in Ritzville, Washington teaching sixth grade. She met Robert A. Ott, and they married in 1954 sharing 57 years together. In 1969 Fannie renewed her teaching credentials from Eastern Washington State College; afterwards teaching elementary school in Warden, Washington for 21 years. She was active with Zion Philadelphia United Church of Christ, Daughters of Zion, and American Association of University Women, holding several leadership positions. She volunteered with the local food bank and the H.E. Gritman Senior Center. Fannie loved to knit and sew, often knitting hats, scarves and sweaters as gifts and donations to charity. She had a kind heart and voice, with a laugh that put many at ease. Fannie loved to read and was a frequent patron of the Ritzville library. She instilled a love of reading to many children, including her children and grandchildren. Her personal goal was to read 10 books each month. She loved to travel. Some of her most memorable trips were to Scotland, Alaska, Yellowstone, and a trip to Tahiti last year with her best friend from college. She enjoyed visiting and kept in frequent contact with relatives and friends, remembering birthdays and anniversaries. Fannie had four children: Valerie Herron (Dana), Algene “Genie”Mendiola (Diego), Thomas( Kelly) , and Eric (Sharon), four grandchildren Karma, Keva, Summer and Brett, and three great grandchildren. You may make donations to her memorial fund at Zion Philadelphia UCC, the Ritzville Public library, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.