Gerrine L. Otero

Gerrine L. Otero

Gerrine L. Otero passed away unexpectedly at her home on Friday, May 25, 2018.

Gerrine Louise Keim was born on May 5, 1942, in Hollywood, California. She moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, at a very young age. Her early years were spent with her mother, Gwylda and brothers Gary and Dennis. Gwylda was a working single mother, and it was often said by Gary and Denny that Gerrine raised them. Those boys loved their big sister and they made it known. Gerrine had a life-long love and admiration for her paternal grandparents, Frank and Clara Keim, who were there for the family in countless ways.

At the age of 14, she started harassing the owner of the Red and White Drive-in. He finally gave her a job a couple years later. It was car hopping there that she met Howard Otero. They were married on July 29, 1961. Together they built a family and a business.

Gerrine worked at Mountain Bell for 17 years and at a local law firm for several years. She managed the Curry Country Store for a few years while she and Howard owned it. She worked with Howard and Steve at Otero Oil for decades.

Gerrine enjoyed roller skating from her childhood years right up to her 70s, attending BSF Bible Study where she made countless treasured friends, and mostly her family. She and Howard enjoyed the simple pleasures of life like lunch in the park followed by ice cream. They did everything together. Gerrine treasured her grandsons and great granddaughters and was a huge part of their lives.

Gerrine is survived by her loving husband Howard Otero, son Steve Otero, daughter Wendy Schwertfeger, son-in-law Gary Schwertfeger, grandsons Brian Schwertfeger and Michael Otero, great granddaughters Parker and Lily Schwertfeger, brother Dennis Keim and his wife Cathy, sister-in law Janie Keim, brother Maury Kramer and his wife Nola, step sister Vicki Garvin, stepsister Barbara Harris and her husband Roger, stepbrother Richard Garvin and his wife Peggy, and step brother David Garvin. She is also survived by two special cousins, Rene Maxson and Myrna Ann Adkins, many nieces, nephews, and so many dear friends. She'd probably like a mention for her little dog Benjie.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Jerald F. Keim and Gwylda Garvin and her brother Gary Keim.

Gerrine was the epitome of small but mighty. She was under five feet tall but colossal.  She now skates on streets of gold.

A celebration of Gerrine’s life will be held on Friday, June 8, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home 2551 Kimberly Rd in Twin Falls. Burial will follow at the Twin Falls Cemetery. Those who wish may share memories and condolences on her memorial page at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.