Brother Otto John Thole, OSB
Monk of Saint John's Abbey
Collegeville, Minnesota
Born: June 13, 1937
Professed: July 11, 1956
Died: December 11, 2024
John Anthony Thole was born on June 13, 1937, in Moorhead, Minnesota, the third oldest of four children born to Otto and Margaret (Acheson) Thole. His father was a bookkeeper for the local power company, and his mother was a homemaker. John attended Saint Joseph’s Parochial School (1943–1951). Following the lead of his two older brothers, Father Tom Thole OSB (1932-2016), and Father Simeon Thole OSB (1935-2020), John enrolled at Saint John’s Preparatory School (1951–1955).
Following graduation, John entered the novitiate at Saint John’s Abbey, receiving the religious name Otto, after Saint Otto of Bamberg, Germany.
At the completion of his novitiate year, Brother Otto made his first profession as a Benedictine monk on July 11, 1956, and his solemn profession in 1959. Brother Otto began working as a novice in the Saint John’s Printing Department (1955-1963), followed by the plumbing shop and car maintenance (1963-1967). He also helped to install the language laboratory for the college and worked as an expert technician.
From 1967 to 1980, Brother Otto served as a missionary at San Antonio Abad in Humacao, Puerto Rico, a foundation of Saint John’s Abbey. At the priory, he was the director of maintenance and, in 1975, received a certificate in HVAC. Prior Eric Buermann OSB (1919-2013), wrote in 1967: “Brother Otto has been a most valuable contribution to our community here, for he is not just a plumber but a general fixer-upper from anything to do with the waste disposal plant and the swimming pool to tables, chairs, and ice cream dippers, continuing in the tradition of Brothers Edward and Victor.” Brother Otto also took intensive courses in Spanish at the Interamerican Institute in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Returning to Saint John’s in 1980, Brother Otto was appointed to the Liturgical Press in the audio/visual department. In 1983, he joined the Saint John’s Preparatory residential community as a prefect with the freshmen. Leaving the Prep School in 1988, Brother Otto received training as a physical therapist assistant for the elderly monks in Saint Raphael Hall. From 2011 to 2017, he served as the medical appointment transportation coordinator for retired and infirm monks.
Throughout his active monastic life, Brother Otto was exceptionally flexible and eager to learn in accepting numerous challenging responsibilities with humility and thoughtfulness.
Affectionally nicknamed “Toot” (Otto inside out) by confreres, Brother Otto shared his good humor and generous service to the community over the 65 years of his life commitment. Brother Otto was a kindly person with a gentle disposition always eager to help out. He greeted confreres and guests with a warm, welcoming smile and generous spirit.
Brother Otto died on December 11, 2024, at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home, Albany, Minnesota. He is survived by his brother-in-law Robert Barrett (Theresa), Sartell, Minnesota, and the community of Saint John’s Abbey. The monks, family, and friends will receive the body at 7:00 pm on Monday, 16 December and celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial for Brother Otto Tuesday, 10:00 am on 17 December in the Saint John’s Abbey and University Church, with interment in the Abbey Cemetery.
The service will be live-streamed at YouTube.com/SaintJohnsAbbey.