Otto Wilhelm Nyquist

The funeral service for Otto Nyquist, 96, of Tracy, will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 27, 2023, at Tracy Lutheran Church in Tracy.  Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 26 at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Tracy.  Visitation will continue on Friday, one hour prior to the service, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Tracy Lutheran Church.  A family interment will take place at a later date.  Military honors will be provided by U.S. American Legion Post 173 of Tracy.

Otto Wilhelm Nyquist Jr. was born on March 22, 1927, in Lake Sarah Township to Otto and Anne (Mold) Nyquist.  He grew up on the family farm and graduated as Salutatorian of the Tracy High School Class of 1945.  On October 2, 1949, he was united in marriage to Margaret “Elaine” Monsen.  The couple farmed and raised their family north of Tracy.  In 1951, Otto was activated in the 47^th Division of the U.S. National Guard and served at Camp Rucker in Alabama during the Korean Conflict.  After his honorable discharge, he returned to the family farm.  Otto was passionate about farming and was ahead of his time with his efforts toward protecting the environment.  He farmed using ridge till methods and other soil conservation practices.  He was a grain farmer and raised SPF purebred Hampshire pigs and purebred Hereford cattle.  Otto was active in the agriculture community.  He served on the Lyon County Conservation Board, the Tri-County Co-op Board and was awarded “Outstanding Young Farmer” and “Outstanding Senior Farmer” in his career.  He was especially enthusiastic about vintage John Deere Tractors.  Otto was also active at Tracy Lutheran Church and served on the Business Committee of the church.

Recently, due to health issues, Otto lived at the Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy, the Prairie Home Hospice Lockwood house and Prairie Home Fieldcrest in Cottonwood.

Otto died on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Prairie Home Fieldcrest in Cottonwood, MN.  He is survived by his wife of 74 years, M. Elaine Nyquist of Tracy, daughters Judy (Dennis) Hayes of Tracy, Laura Nyquist (Max Heintz) of Dayton, OH, Kathy Nyquist of San Marcos, CA; grandchildren Jennifer (Jeff) Quinn, Derek Hayes, Sarah (Shawn) McGill, Andrew (Erin) Heintz, Jordan Douglas and Mackenzie Douglas Craugh; great-grandchildren Josh, Logan, Alyssa, Lauren, Lucas and Margot; brother Laurence (Connie) Nyquist of Houston, TX; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother George and sister-in-law Sandy Nyquist.

Memorials in honor of Otto can be sent to the Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55902 or Tracy Lutheran Church, 64 Rowland St., Tracy, MN 56175.